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
Given this, the Wall Street firm identified stocks that could benefit from a period of higher interest rates, specifically those defensive names that have a higher correlation to the 10-year Treasury yield.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 20 May 2026
The negative correlation between insufficient sleep and life expectancy held in most states across every year studied, even after controlling for smoking, diet and physical inactivity.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 19 May 2026
In the aggregate, there is a correlation between earlier picks and better outcomes, but exceptions abound.
—Dan Greene, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Notably, Mendelian randomization studies — a method that uses genetic variants to establish causation rather than mere correlation — have found that morning chronotype is causally associated with better mental health outcomes.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for correlation
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Sarah Min, CNBC, 20 May 2026
The negative correlation between insufficient sleep and life expectancy held in most states across every year studied, even after controlling for smoking, diet and physical inactivity.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 19 May 2026
In the aggregate, there is a correlation between earlier picks and better outcomes, but exceptions abound.
—Dan Greene, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Notably, Mendelian randomization studies — a method that uses genetic variants to establish causation rather than mere correlation — have found that morning chronotype is causally associated with better mental health outcomes.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 18 May 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 21 May. 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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