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
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)
Examples of relation in a Sentence
The incident led to tense international relations.
Recent Examples on the Web
But viewed from Beijing, those trade dynamics have been a significant source of confidence for Chinese officials – especially in their relations with the US.
—
Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 15 Jan. 2026
Not infrequently, the questions of the past that is never lost and is irreplaceable in western art arise like a fascism, or a subordination to what remains of its dialectic nature, that relies on myth to legitimate fascism’s inseparable relation to beauty.
—Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
However, the Bureau of Street Services is planning to initiate new repaving projects as soon as possible, said Dan Halden, director of external relations.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
The Chinese Communist Party often demands political loyalty in return for its largesse, especially in insisting that potential partners break off relations with Taiwan.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for relation
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cite this Entry
“Relation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relation. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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
adjective
-shnəl,
-shən-ᵊl
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
