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 … —
J. B. Conant
J. B. Conant 2
: the act of correlating
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 Gallup Voices of Gen Z study highlights a correlation between two aspects of life.
—
Avni Trivedi,
CNN Money,
24 June 2026
But correlation isn’t causation, and the scientists studying her were the first to say so.
—
Allison Palmer
updated June 24,
Sacbee.com,
24 June 2026
There was a strong positive correlation between maximum hunt speed and maximum flight height for the long-wing species, while maximum and mean flight speeds were negatively correlated with wing area for all five species studied.
—
Literary Hub,
22 June 2026
Hsueh said that gold prices became more firmly wedded to the outlook for Fed rate policy starting around the the middle of May, and less tied to the correlation to energy prices that had prevailed since the start of the Iran war.
—
Deena Zaidi,
CNBC,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for correlation
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Avni Trivedi,
CNN Money,
24 June 2026
But correlation isn’t causation, and the scientists studying her were the first to say so.
—
Allison Palmer
updated June 24,
Sacbee.com,
24 June 2026
There was a strong positive correlation between maximum hunt speed and maximum flight height for the long-wing species, while maximum and mean flight speeds were negatively correlated with wing area for all five species studied.
—
Literary Hub,
22 June 2026
Hsueh said that gold prices became more firmly wedded to the outlook for Fed rate policy starting around the the middle of May, and less tied to the correlation to energy prices that had prevailed since the start of the Iran war.
—
Deena Zaidi,
CNBC,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for correlation
Cite this Entry
“Correlation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/correlation. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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