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 Word Forms

• prerelationship 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

"Since then, the China-US relationship has generally maintained a steady and positive trajectory, and this is welcomed by the two countries and the broader international community," the Chinese statement said.

Read more on BBC

The stars’ portrayal of a loving father-daughter relationship is one of the show’s major touchstones.

Read more on Salon

Buchanan had pushed a deal with a vendor headed by a woman who he had a relationship with.

Read more on Barron's

Not for the solvers he speaks to, who use their puzzle routines as calming influences or mementos of relationships.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Family relationships, personal relationships, business relationships, everything just kind of went sideways.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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