Main Entry: cor·re·la·tion

Pronunciation: \ˌkȯr-ə-ˈlā-shən, ˌkär-\

Function: noun

Etymology: Medieval Latin correlation-, correlatio, from Latin com- + relation-, relatio relation

Date: 1561

1 : the state or relation of being correlated; specifically : a relation existing between phenomena or things or between mathematical or statistical variables which tend to vary, be associated, or occur together in a way not expected on the basis of chance alone <the obviously high positive correlation between scholastic aptitude and college entrance — J. B. Conant>
2 : the act of correlating

— cor·re·la·tion·al \-shnəl, -shə-n^əl\ adjective