relationship

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

Updated on: 20 May 2018

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

The Mini Break-Up After spending some time texting and talking on the phone, Teigen joined Legend on tour early in their relationship.

— megan mccluskey, Time, "A Complete History of Chrissy Teigen and John Legend's Envy-Inducing Relationship," 17 May 2018
My musings about the earliest stage of my new relationship.

— lauren chval, chicagotribune.com, "'It read like a dissection of our sex life': Recovering from a wedding toast disaster," 16 May 2018
Adams and the woman, whose name was not released, are acquaintances, but no details were released about their relationship.

— alexis stevens, ajc, "Man kidnapped woman, pulled her from driver’s seat, sheriff’s office says," 15 May 2018
But upon closer inspection, a trial could have proven problematic for both Manning and the Giants in terms of their relationship with the NFL and their sponsors.

— michael mccann, SI.com, "Why It Was the Smart Decision for Eli Manning to Settle in Memorabilia Fraud Lawsuit," 15 May 2018
Wyden also sent a letter asking Novartis, which also paid Cohen, for details of their relationship.

— claire atkinson, NBC News, "U.S. Senators want to know more about AT&T's work with Michael Cohen," 14 May 2018
To be sure, sticking with Leonard still looks like the best plan, and all of this handwringing about his relationship with the organization might turn out to be much ado about nothing.

— mike finger, San Antonio Express-News, "With or without Kawhi, Spurs were bound for a reckoning," 12 May 2018
The combative nature of their relationship prompted Kirst to obtain a protective order against her estranged boyfriend in March of 2015.

— kim chatelain, NOLA.com, "Jury convicts North Shore man in girlfriend's 'horrific' murder," 11 May 2018
Alba, who briefly held the job of fire chief before he was fired due to a controversy that arose out of an affair with a female co-worker, prevailed in his contention that he was defamed by her lack of candor about their relationship.

— jim riccioli, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Ex-fire chief Alba in Waukesha wins defamation lawsuit against against ex-lover and employee, but gets no compensation," 11 May 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

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relationship Synonyms

Other Psychology Terms

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

RELATIONSHIP Defined for English Language Learners

relationship

noun

: 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