relational

adjective

re·​la·​tion·​al ri-ˈlā-sh(ə-)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

But first, a tense square between two relational planets Venus in Sagittarius and Neptune in Pisces on December 23 may complicate clarity of expectations and agreements. —Colin Bedell, Them., 16 Dec. 2025

Center children’s learning and development Education is a relational enterprise. —Niral Shah, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025

Empathy and relational support remain areas where people significantly outperform machines. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 11 Dec. 2025

The idea that honesty might require stepping outside these rituals remains culturally subversive, especially for women taught to function as the relational glue of families. —Rebecca Soffer, Time, 4 Dec. 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