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
James 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 results of these studies have been mixed, with some showing a possible correlation and others showing no link.
—Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 23 Sep. 2025
The first instance of such low correlation came about on July 31, 2023.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2025
Other research has challenged the connection, including a landmark 2024 study which compared siblings with and without exposure to acetaminophen in the womb, and found no significant correlation to autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
Though early studies found a correlation between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism, a landmark 2024 study comparing siblings who were and were not exposed to Tylenol in utero largely debunked the link.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for correlation
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Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 23 Sep. 2025
The first instance of such low correlation came about on July 31, 2023.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2025
Other research has challenged the connection, including a landmark 2024 study which compared siblings with and without exposure to acetaminophen in the womb, and found no significant correlation to autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
Though early studies found a correlation between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism, a landmark 2024 study comparing siblings who were and were not exposed to Tylenol in utero largely debunked the link.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
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 Sep. 2025.
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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