relational

American  

[ri-lay-shuh-nl] / rɪˈleɪ ʃə nl /

adjective

1. of or relating to relations.

2. indicating or specifying some relation.

3. Grammar. serving to indicate relations between various elements in a sentence, as prepositions, conjunctions, etc.

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relational British  

/ rɪˈleɪʃənəl /

adjective

1. grammar indicating or expressing syntactic relation, as for example the case endings in Latin

2. having relation or being related

3. computing based on data stored in a tabular form

   a relational database

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Other Word Forms

• nonrelational
  adjective
• unrelational
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of relational

First recorded in 1655–65; relation + -al ¹

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

relational

The two specialize in "conflict management, relational policies and emotional development within the organization," D2's website says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

That is borne out in research, which shows relational organizing works because young people trust their neighbors or community networks far more than national parties.

From Salon ● Oct. 2, 2026

I don’t blame you for questioning, well, your entire relational existence.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026

"Therefore, psychotherapy sometimes has to work relationally. For example, new experiences in the relationship between therapist and patient can gradually help to change entrenched relational patterns."

From Science Daily ● Jul. 1, 2026

And that's because of this relational database thing.

From "Things Not Seen" by Andrew Clements

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Related Words

• comparative
• related
• relative

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