relationship

noun re·la·tion·ship \ ri-ˈlā-shən-ˌship \

|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

Examples: relationship in a Sentence

Definition of relationship

1 : the state of being related or interrelated

studied the relationship between the variables

2 : the relation connecting or binding participants in a relationship: such as

a : kinship

b : a specific instance or type of kinship

3 a : a state of affairs existing between those having relations or dealings

had a good relationship with his family

b : a romantic or passionate attachment

See relationship defined for English-language learners

See relationship defined for kids

Examples of relationship in a Sentence

The relationship between the two countries has improved.
She has a close relationship with her sister.
She has had many bad relationships.
I am not in a relationship right now.
the relationship between mental and physical health
“What is your relationship to the witness?” “He is my father.”

Recent Examples of relationship from the Web

That’s why military officials recently opened an outpost in Mountain View, Calif., to build relationships with technology start-ups and major players.

— samantha masunaga, latimes.com, "Google's retreat from AI contract is unlikely to cool the Pentagon's love for Silicon Valley," 14 June 2018
What we were left with in the aftermath of it all was a relationship that had weathered a hell of a storm and survived.

— caroline shannon-karasik, The Cut, "Rebuilding a Sex Life Destroyed by Postpartum Depression," 14 June 2018
As the West has sought to isolate Russia over its military interventions in Ukraine and alleged interference in other countries’ elections, the Kremlin has sought to build new relationships in Asia and the Middle East.

— anatoly kurmanaev, WSJ, "World Cup Gives Putin’s Policies a Global Stage," 13 June 2018
While not all my roles at Amex have had formal negotiating responsibilities in the job description, all of them have required building relationships and navigating difficult conversations.

— glenda mcneal, Time, "The Boss: Lessons From My Childhood Helped Me Ascend the Ranks at American Express," 13 June 2018
Before the crackdown, the department had worked hard to build relationships with the Latino community.

— theresa vargas, Washington Post, "Why we should trust Trump and not underestimate Corey Stewart," 13 June 2018
Banks use deposit accounts to establish customer relationships—they’re not going to give that up willingly.

— david dayen, The New Republic, "Give Everyone Government Bank Accounts," 13 June 2018
Over time, the couple’s bond deepens from a fraught, erotic connection into a meaningful relationship — which is then challenged upon the arrival of the artist’s Christian mother.

— peter libbey, New York Times, "Edie Falco and Alan Cumming Announced in New Group’s Lineup," 13 June 2018
But even as China lets economic ties expand, after Kim showed off his moves in Singapore, Chinese leaders will want to remind him who is the senior partner in the two countries’ relationship.

— heather hurlburt, Daily Intelligencer, "These Are the Questions Foreign-Policy Experts Are Asking About the Trump-Kim Summit," 13 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'relationship.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of relationship

1741

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

relationship Synonyms

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

RELATIONSHIP Defined for English Language Learners

relationship

noun

Definition of relationship for English Language Learners

: the way in which two or more people, groups, countries, etc., talk to, behave toward, and deal with each other
: a romantic or sexual friendship between two people
: the way in which two or more people or things are connected