relationship

[ ri-ley-shuhn-ship ]

noun

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.

relationship

/ 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

Other Words From

• prere·lation·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of relationship¹

First recorded in 1735–45; relation + -ship

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

The job posting says the role will lead the government's relationship with the European Union and negotiations with the EU "on key UK interests", with mentions of trade, security and border policy.

From BBC

Over the course of that relationship their daughter was said to have been “a happy, healthy, engaging and contented child” and there was “absolutely no suggestion of anything other than good parenting”.

From BBC

Actors Jonathan Majors and Meagan Good are taking their relationship to the next level.

From Los Angeles Times

I began looking into the relationship, filing an initial report that spring, and additional items ever since.

From Salon

She had since alleged other assaults and, the prosecution told the court, was an extremely vulnerable woman "trapped inside an aggressive, violent and controlling relationship".

From BBC

Related Words

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