relation

American  

[ri-ley-shuhn] / rɪˈleɪ ʃən /

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.

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idioms

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

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

relation British  

/ 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

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relation More Idioms  

1. see poor relation; relative (in relation) to.

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of relation

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

Example Sentences

There were a number of potential breaches of the Parades Commission determinations in relation to the procession, which will now be investigated, police said.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

The muted reaction to the new high in West Texas Intermediate oil further shows the change in the markets’ relation to energy.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

An SNP spokesperson said Carragher had been suspended and dropped as a candidate "in light of ongoing allegations regarding the handling of matters within the North Lanarkshire Council SNP group in relation to Jordan Linden".

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

Last month, Chelsea admitted to breaching Premier League rules in relation to some £47.5 million of undisclosed payments made under former owner Roman Abramovich.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

But where were they in relation to the cabinet?

From "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman

Related Words

• relationship