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
Turkish doctors found no correlation between BMI and hyoid bone fracture in pediatric deaths by hanging, and Parisian doctors are generally unaware of adolescents’ dangerous games.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
It's been used in more than 50 scientific studies so far, many of which found correlations between lifestyle, environment and disease risk.
—Anderson Cooper, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Notably, the correlation between high parent stress and reduced positive parenting along with reduced healthy food intake in children remained in the control group after three months but was no longer significant in the PMH group.
—Karen Guzman, Hartford Courant, 21 Mar. 2026
In general, researchers noticed a negative correlation between social media use and happiness, especially among young people.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for correlation
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Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
It's been used in more than 50 scientific studies so far, many of which found correlations between lifestyle, environment and disease risk.
—Anderson Cooper, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Notably, the correlation between high parent stress and reduced positive parenting along with reduced healthy food intake in children remained in the control group after three months but was no longer significant in the PMH group.
—Karen Guzman, Hartford Courant, 21 Mar. 2026
In general, researchers noticed a negative correlation between social media use and happiness, especially among young people.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 20 Mar. 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 26 Mar. 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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