relationship

noun re·la·tion·ship \ -shən-ˌship \

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

Both brothers are happily in relationships, with Drew Scott planning a wedding to his longtime girlfriend, Linda Phan.

— annie alleman, Naperville Sun, "'Property Brothers' come to McAninch stage," 30 Aug. 2017
And don’t miss the accompanying review by Sarah Mesle, whose season-long dissatisfaction at the Arya/Sansa relationship is not mollified by Sunday night’s Shocking Twist and the viewer manipulation leading up to it.

— michelle weber, Longreads, "The Rising Seas Are Coming From Inside the House," 30 Aug. 2017
Nonetheless, the stops are straining relationships with residents, according to the report.

— jsonline.com, "Trust damaged between Milwaukee police and community, Department of Justice draft report says," 30 Aug. 2017
Eventually that relationship grew from quarterback-coach to more father-son over 21 years.

— ralph d. russo, The Seattle Times, "Corso still going on “GameDay” — with help from his friends," 29 Aug. 2017
Not to quote this feud's literal theme song, but Swift and Perry's relationship actually began with, well, mad love.

— christopher rosa, Glamour, "Katy Perry and Taylor Swift's Feud: A Timeline," 24 Aug. 2017
The nostalgic video begins and ends with the characters looking through hospital windows, and the story in-between reflects the touching life cycle of many father-daughter relationships.

— kelly o'sullivan, Country Living, "This Viral Windex Ad Is the Most Emotional Thing You'll Watch All Day," 21 Aug. 2017
The center’s mission is to rebuild the lives of at-risk children and their families through education, healing, restoring relationships, building character and instilling hope.

— nicole miller-coleman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Good things for Oak Grove Center," 20 Aug. 2017
The past few weeks have been intense, and the excitement continues this week with the rare new moon solar eclipse Monday falling in your zone of partnerships and relationships.

— aurora tower, Cosmopolitan, "Your Horoscopes for the Week of August 21," 20 Aug. 2017

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

relationship Synonyms

Synonyms

affinity, association, bearing, kinship, liaison, linkage, relation, connection

Antonyms

disaffiliation, dissociation

Related Words

correlation, interrelation; materiality, pertinence, relevance; bond, link, tie; affiliation, alliance, union; identicalness, sameness; alikeness, community, likeness, resemblance, similarity; accordance, agreement, conformity, congruity, correspondence

Near Antonyms

variability, variance; incompatibility, incongruence, incongruity, incongruousness

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