relation
Pluralrelations
- 1The way people, groups, or countries get along and deal with each other.
Like the weather between two people: it can be warm, cool, or stormy.
Relations between the neighbors got much better after they fixed the fence together.
Relations between the two countries got better after the new trade deal.
UsagePeople say relations between two groups or relations with a country.
- 2A connection or link between two things, or the way they affect each other.
Like a string that ties two things together: when one moves, the other moves too.
There is a clear relation between exercise and good health.
His answer had no relation to the question the teacher asked.
UsageSay the relation between two things, or in relation to something.
Similarconnection, link, association, correlation
- 3
- 4A polite, formal word for the act of sex.
The doctor asked whether the couple still had relations.
In court, he said they never had sexual relations.
UsageCareful: have relations with someone can mean sex. Say good relations for getting along.
Similarintercourse, sex
- 5In math, a set of pairs (or longer ordered lists) of things that shows which ones are linked.
Like a class list that pairs each student with a partner.
The relation pairs each student with the sports they play.
Write the relation as a list of pairs, such as (1, 2) and (3, 4).
Note
Less common meanings
- 6The act of telling a story or describing events.
Her relation of the accident kept everyone at the table silent.
The old sailor's relation of the storm kept the children still and quiet.
UsagePeople say a relation of what happened, but account is the usual word.
Similaraccount, narration, narrative, report, telling
Note
- 7In a database, a table that stores information in rows and columns.
One relation in the database holds a row for every customer.
Add a new relation to the database to keep track of product reviews.
Similartable
Note
- 8In advanced math, a rule saying that two ways of combining a group's basic elements give the same result.
- 9In advanced math, a general way of picking out which combinations of things are linked together.
Practice
Can you tell the meanings of relation apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.
Origin
From Latin relātiō, from the verb referō meaning "I refer, I relate," built from re- ("again") and ferō ("I bear, carry"). It reached English through Old French.
Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 7 facts
- English relation ultimately derives from Latin relātiō through Old French. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin relātiō derives from referō. en.wiktionary.org
- Referō means “I refer, I relate.” en.wiktionary.org
- Referō combines re- and ferō. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin re- means “again.” en.wiktionary.org
- Latin ferō means “I bear, carry.” en.wiktionary.org
- The word reached English through Old French. en.wiktionary.org