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
If the data are normalized to both bookends of Figure 2, the hills and valleys in between do reveal significant correlation.
—Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Numerous studies show there is no correlation between spending and winning.
—Mike Sando, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
Experts agree that there is no scientific evidence or correlation between these drugs and violence towards others.
—Sarah Owermohle, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
The correlation between presidential and Senate outcomes is much more powerful than a generation ago, when many more voters split their tickets.
—Ronald Brownstein, Mercury News, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for correlation
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Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Numerous studies show there is no correlation between spending and winning.
—Mike Sando, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
Experts agree that there is no scientific evidence or correlation between these drugs and violence towards others.
—Sarah Owermohle, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
The correlation between presidential and Senate outcomes is much more powerful than a generation ago, when many more voters split their tickets.
—Ronald Brownstein, Mercury News, 9 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 16 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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