relation

[ri-ley-shuhn]

noun

1. an existing connection; a significant association between or among things.

   the relation between cause and effect.

   Synonyms: link, tie, relationship
   Antonyms: independence

2. relations,

   1. the various connections between peoples, countries, etc..

      foreign relations.

   2. the various connections in which persons are brought together.

      business and social relations.

   3. sexual intercourse.

3. the mode or kind of connection between one person and another, between an individual and God, etc.

4. connection between persons by blood or marriage.

   Synonyms: kinship, relationship

5. a person who is related by blood or marriage; relative.

   his wife's relations.

6. the act of relating, narrating, or telling; narration.

   Synonyms: description, recital, recitation

7. Law.,  a principle whereby effect is given to an act done at one time as if it had been done at a previous time.

8. Mathematics.

   1. a property that associates two quantities in a definite order, as equality or inequality.

   2. a single- or multiple-valued function.

relation

/ rɪˈleɪʃən /

noun

1. the state or condition of being related or the manner in which things are related

2. connection by blood or marriage; kinship

3. a person who is connected by blood or marriage; relative; kinsman

4. reference or regard (esp in the phrase in or with relation to )

5. the position, association, connection, or status of one person or thing with regard to another or others

6. the act of relating or narrating

7. an account or narrative

8. law the principle by which an act done at one time is regarded in law as having been done antecedently

9. law the statement of grounds of complaint made by a relator

10. logic maths

    1. an association between ordered pairs of objects, numbers, etc, such as … is greater than …

    2. the set of ordered pairs whose members have such an association

11. philosophy

    1. a relation that necessarily holds between its relata, as 4 is greater than 2

    2. a relation that does not so hold

Other Word Forms

• relationless adjective
• nonrelation noun
• prerelation noun
• subrelation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of relation¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English relacion, from Latin relātiōn-, stem of relātiō “a carrying back, narration, repayment”; equivalent to relate + -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of relation¹

C14: from Latin relātiō a narration, a relation (between philosophical concepts)

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in / with relation to, with reference to; concerning.

   It's best to plan with relation to anticipated changes in one's earnings.

see poor relation; relative (in relation) to.

Example Sentences

The episode highlights a new reality in U.S.-China relations.

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Are Nvidia’s responses savvy public relations or a sign the company is growing worried?

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"We hope that further steps can be taken to close it and provide a more level playing field in relation to other projects," he said.

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Steering Responsive LED Headlights The Crosstrek’s headlights turn in relation to the wheels, helping you see further into a corner.

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“It’s almost like I’m training—the opposite of how an athlete would train,” says Langer, 47, a founder of a public relations agency.

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Related Words

• relationship