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
But Bertelli has also created his own aesthetic here, finding new correlations between the organic and the mechanic.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
When the Fed began raising rates in 2022, the correlation between stocks and bonds turned positive — meaning that bonds weren’t the portfolio ballast investors were expecting.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026
Such visits don’t have a particularly strong historical correlation to who Denver ends up drafting, aside from a seventh-round swing last year on tight end Caleb Lohner.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 16 Apr. 2026
But research has shown a correlation between poor purchasing practices and labor violations.
—Sarah Dadush, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for correlation
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Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
When the Fed began raising rates in 2022, the correlation between stocks and bonds turned positive — meaning that bonds weren’t the portfolio ballast investors were expecting.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026
Such visits don’t have a particularly strong historical correlation to who Denver ends up drafting, aside from a seventh-round swing last year on tight end Caleb Lohner.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 16 Apr. 2026
But research has shown a correlation between poor purchasing practices and labor violations.
—Sarah Dadush, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 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 27 Apr. 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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