relational

adjective

re·​la·​tion·​al ri-ˈlā-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

1

: of or relating to kinship

2

: characterized or constituted by relations

3

: having the function chiefly of indicating a relation of syntax

has is notional in he has luck, relational in he has gone

4

: relating to, using, or being a method of organizing data in a database so that it is perceived by the user as a set of tables

relationally adverb

Examples of relational in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When customers feel emotionally connected, the relationship moves from transactional to relational. —Manu Mathew, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025

Researchers examined 82 real-life conversations between close relational partners (friends, family or romantic partners) to study this. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025

Therapy — individual or relational — can offer a safer space to unpack the conversations that feel too complex to navigate alone. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025

After divorcing his ex-husband several years ago, the eddies of his relational whirlwinds have slowed, and the currents of his music career have gathered pace. —Jonathan Horwitz, Oc Register, 20 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing relational

• relational grammar

Rhymes for relational

• formational
• foundational
• gestational
• gradational
• locational
• mutational
• nonrational
• notational
• rotational
• sensational
• translational
• vibrational