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

2

: the act of correlating

correlational

ˌkȯr-ə-ˈlā-sh(ə-)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

Farmland issues speed up bird declines The scientists found statistical correlations between accelerating decline and high fertilizer and pesticide use and the amount of cropland, Leroy said. —Seth Borenstein, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026

While the study can’t establish why these correlations exist, the results add to the evidence that sleep has a role in maintaining our long-term health. —Veronique Greenwood, Time, 4 Mar. 2026

While the current correlation between AI adoption and broad labor market outcomes remains small and statistically insignificant, Goldman’s baseline forecast is that 6% to 7% of workers—roughly 11 million jobs—will eventually be displaced by AI automation over the long term. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 3 Mar. 2026

Hardly anyone in politics or the media adequately explains the correlation, including virtually all reporters covering finance as well as general news. —Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 1 Mar. 2026

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

Rhymes for correlation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

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