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

Over time, those moments build relational capital, meaning the shared trust and history friends can draw on when life becomes difficult or a disagreement needs repairing. — Justin Vaughn, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2026

Every partnership, hire, negotiation and client experience is relational. — Kristina Aran, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026

That means the properties of a system – any object – are always relational properties. — Adam Frank, NPR, 14 Sep. 2026

The focus would be on the artists who helped shape the gallery’s program in the 1990s, particularly their connections to the relational aesthetics movement. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 9 Sep. 2026

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
• notational
• rotational
• sensational
• translational
• vibrational
• vocational