relation

noun

re·​la·​tion ri-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the act of telling or recounting : account

2

: an aspect or quality (such as resemblance) that connects two or more things or parts as being or belonging or working together or as being of the same kind

the relation of time and space

specifically : a property (such as one expressed by is equal to, is less than, or is the brother of) that holds between an ordered pair of objects

3

: the referring by a legal fiction of an act to a prior date as the time of its taking effect

—usually used with back

4

a(1)

: a person connected by consanguinity or affinity : relative

(2)

: a person legally entitled to a share of the property of an intestate

b

: relationship by consanguinity or affinity : kinship

5

: reference, respect

in relation to

6

: the attitude or stance which two or more persons or groups assume toward one another

race relations

7

a

: the state of being mutually or reciprocally interested (as in social or commercial matters)

b relations plural

(1)

: dealings, intercourse

foreign relations

(2)

: sexual intercourse

Synonyms of relation

• interaction

Examples of relation in a Sentence

The incident led to tense international relations.

Recent Examples on the Web

But despite years of diplomatic efforts there is no sign of a breakthrough in ending a war that has had repercussions for the global food and energy supply, as well as severely straining relations between Russia and Western countries. — Hanna Arhirova, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026

The disagreement came as Zambia was seeking to attract more investment into its copper and other critical-minerals industries while maintaining longstanding economic ties with China and developing closer commercial relations with the US. — Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Colombia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday also announced that the country was suspending all diplomatic relations with Iran. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026

His previous positions included senior vice president and CFO of PepsiCo Foods North America and senior vice president of investor relations. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English relacion, from Anglo-French, from Latin relation-, relatio, from referre (past participle relatus) to carry back

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing relation

• bear no relation to
• blood relation
• equivalence relation
• in relation to
• near relation
• no relation

Rhymes for relation

• ablation
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation

Kids Definition

relation

noun

re·​la·​tion ri-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the act of telling or describing

2

: connection sense 2, relationship

the relation of employer to employee

3

: a related person : relative

4

: reference entry 1 sense 2, respect

in relation to this matter

5

a

: the state of sharing an interest (as in social or business matters)

b

plural : business or public affairs

good trade relations

foreign relations

c

plural : dealings between persons or groups

improved his relations with his family

relational

-shnəl, 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

relation

noun

re·​la·​tion ri-ˈlā-shən 

1

: an aspect or quality (as resemblance or causality) that connects two or more things or parts as being or belonging or working together, as being of the same kind, or as being logically connected

the strong relation between genotype and phenotype

—Anne M. Glazier et al.

2

: the attitude or stance which two or more persons or groups assume toward one another

race relations

3

a

: the state of being mutually or reciprocally interested (as in social matters)

b

relations plural : sexual intercourse

testified that relations had occurred

—Newsweek

relational

-əl 

adjective