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 Words From

• re·lation·less adjective
• nonre·lation noun
• prere·lation noun
• subre·lation 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.

More idioms and phrases containing relation

see poor relation ; relative (in relation) to .

Example Sentences

His barrister, David Sherborne, said the emails would be "highly relevant in terms of providing the full picture not only as to the actual knowledge of the claimant but also as to the position in relation to constructive knowledge, based on what the Palace was being told by NGN".

From BBC

There are, still, 2 million civil service employees, a number that seems ginormous until you remember, as Moynihan told me, that that number hasn’t grown appropriately in relation to the population, economy, and other factors since 1960.

From Slate

"The hatred and deviant fascination the defendants have shown in relation to the cruelty and abuse towards monkeys is incomprehensible," he said.

From BBC

"Many families tell us that they are deeply concerned about the lack of provision for their children post-18, whether that is in relation to lifelong learning, mental health, employment, or supported living," she said.

From BBC

Astronomical seasons are based on the position of the Earth in relation to the Sun.

From BBC

Related Words

• relationship