correlation

noun

cor·​re·​la·​tion ˌkȯr-ə-ˈlā-shən 

ˌkär-

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 …

—James B. Conant

2

: the act of correlating

correlational

ˌkȯr-ə-ˈlā-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

ˌkär-

adjective

Examples of correlation in a Sentence

the correlation of brain size and intelligence

Researchers have found a direct correlation between smoking and lung cancer.

She says that there's no correlation between being thin and being happy.

Recent Examples on the Web

The prank is meant to bring awareness to people's water intake and the correlation between the color of urine and dehydration. —Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024

Some people think that there is a correlation between price and abandon: the cheaper the buffet, the higher the customers stack their plates. —Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing correlation

• coefficient of correlation
• correlation coefficient
• rank correlation

Kids Definition

correlation

noun

cor·​re·​la·​tion ˌkȯr-ə-ˈlā-shən 

ˌkär-

1

: the act or process of correlating

2

: the state of being correlated

especially : a mutual relation discovered to exist between things

the correlation between smoking and lung cancer

correlational

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective