relationship

American  

[ri-ley-shuhn-ship] / rɪˈleɪ ʃənˌʃɪp /

noun

• relationships
  plural

1. a connection, association, or involvement.

   Synonyms:

   kinship, alliance, dependence

2. connection between persons by blood or marriage.

   Synonyms:

   consanguinity, affinity

3. an emotional or other connection between people.

   the relationship between teachers and students.

4. a sexual involvement; affair.

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relationship British  

/ rɪˈleɪʃənʃɪp /

noun

1. the state of being connected or related

2. association by blood or marriage; kinship

3. the mutual dealings, connections, or feelings that exist between two parties, countries, people, etc

   a business relationship

4. an emotional or sexual affair or liaison

5. logic maths another name for relation

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Synonym Usage

Relationship, kinship refer to connection with others by blood or by marriage. Relationship can be applied to connection either by birth or by marriage: relationship to a ruling family. Kinship generally denotes common descent and implies a more intimate connection than relationship: the ties and obligations of kinship.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• prerelationship
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• relationships
  plural

Etymology

Origin of relationship

First recorded in 1735–45; relation + -ship

Explanation

When you're in a relationship, you're emotionally involved or at least connected in some way. If you're related to somebody — your parents, your aunts and uncles, your cousins — you share a family relationship with them. You can also use relationship to describe dealings between various groups, as “Members of the European Union have a relationship of economic interconnectedness,” or “A lease helps define your relationship with your landlord.” You'll also see relationship used with interactions that don't directly involve people. In many of these cases, the word relation is better. For example, in the sentence "We are always looking at the relationship between ticket price and sales," it would be better to use relation.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

relationship relationships

"This could indicate a close relationship between these human individuals and the animal, an idea that I think is quite easy to empathize with."

From Science Daily ● Aug. 19, 2026

Before the board hired Otterman, two fourth-generation second cousins had led Lodge for nearly 50 years despite a relationship marked by what Daniel called “productive friction.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

Some participants described it as a tentative move that could help repair the strained relationship between state and federal leaders working on elections.

From Salon ● Aug. 19, 2026

"The relationship with Canada has been challenging from the beginning," Padilla said.

From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026

“Did you know one of them personally? Did you have a personal relationship with—Edda, you know what I mean.”

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

“He knows that in order to have excellent public services, you need to have excellent relationships with business,” the pub owner said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

The dog may offer another clue about the beliefs or relationships of the people buried there.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 19, 2026

But one former GB women's international, who asked to remain anonymous to protect relationships within the sport, told BBC Sport that hockey missed a major opportunity to capitalise on its landmark moment.

From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026

The company’s relationships with teachers and textbook publishers are a key advantage, he added.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 18, 2026

Leah’s attempt to take Kate’s sons away drove a stake into the heart of the Fox sisters’ already troubled relationships.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Related Words

• accord
• affair
• communication
• contact
• exchange
• liaison
• link
• marriage
• rapport
• relation
• tie