relational

adjective

re·​la·​tion·​al ri-ˈlā-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce relational (audio)
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
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Because of the relational aspect, though, it’s been sitting in legal review indefinitely. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026 Trust is fundamentally relational and dynamic. Monica L. Wang, STAT, 10 Apr. 2026 Their work inspires consideration for innovation as a site of relational and communal possibility. News Desk, Artforum, 8 Apr. 2026 The relational dimensions of the concept disappeared entirely, replaced by the language of individual emotional regulation. Gareth Barkin, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for relational

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of relational was in 1662

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Cite this Entry

“Relational.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relational. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.

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