noun

• 1The way in which two or more concepts, objects, or people are connected; a thing's effect on or relevance to another.

  ‘questions about the relation between writing and reality’

  More example sentences

  • ‘the size of the targets bore no relation to their importance’
  • ‘It may also be hard to see the relation between cause and effect.’
  • ‘If, however, we adopt the second hypothesis, we have to inquire only as to the relation between cause and effect.’
  • ‘What is the causal relation between the pattern of division and cell differentiation?’
  • ‘Hence the assertion of a causal relation between physical and mental events is inherently paradoxical, perhaps even incoherent.’
  • ‘The present study does not offer a causal relation between primary hyperparathyroidism and the development of renal stone disease.’
  • ‘A causal relation between asthma and obesity is supported by data from cohort studies.’
  • ‘We used a sensitivity analysis to test the effect of different assumptions on the relation between income and management costs.’
  • ‘Together with the supposed necessary truth, it implies the obtaining of the causal relation between agent and action.’
  • ‘This indicates a causal relation between the two, but that leaves three possibilities’
  • ‘Our findings suggest a causal relation between second teenage birth and adverse pregnancy outcome.’
  • ‘But when it comes to the relation between sense and reference, the analogy could mislead.’
  • ‘Rather, they involve a relation between a believer and a thought believed.’
  • ‘In addition, symbolic beliefs did not mediate the relation between prior contact and attitudes for either group.’
  • ‘Therefore, in our study, symbolic beliefs do not mediate the relation between prior contact and attitudes.’
  • ‘How would you regard the relation between your critical and poetic activities?’
  • ‘Such an analysis obscures the relation between miscarriages at different stages of gestation and maternal age.’
  • ‘Secondly, there is the lack of emotion in relations between husband and wife and between parents and children.’
  • ‘His words of lament emphasize the inalienable relation of father to daughter or bride to homeland.’
  • ‘Thus organic bodies vary when they move into new relations with each other and with the inorganic environment.’
  • ‘Dimensions of quality space can vary in their dependence relations on each other.’

  Synonyms

  connection, relationship, association, link, correlation, correspondence, parallel, tie-in, tie-up, alliance, bond, interrelation, interconnection

  relevance, applicability, application, reference, pertinence, bearing on, regard

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  1. 1.1relationsThe way in which two or more people or groups feel about and behave toward each other.
     ‘the improvement in relations between the two countries’
     More example sentences

     • ‘the meetings helped cement Anglo-American relations’
     • ‘I think that qualifies as a small step towards improved bilateral relations, don't you?’
     • ‘Your wisdom and intuition take you towards better relations with people.’
     • ‘We are all the same people, but our relations with each other have changed.’
     • ‘They also recognise the importance of a considered approach towards employee relations.’
     • ‘Inmates also enjoy better relations with each other.’
     • ‘In the UK's hour of greatest need, Churchill's relations with Roosevelt were conducted with tact and a great sureness of touch.’
     • ‘They want a security guarantee, formal diplomatic relations with the US, and tons of money, food, and oil.’
     • ‘Slovenes maintain close relations with their parents, siblings, and extended families.’
     • ‘After a mother dies, relations between her children are often not close.’
     • ‘Bronfenbrenner indicated the need for closer relations between schools and families.’
     • ‘She never had close relations with her mother, who abhorred the nature of Mafia business and stayed away from any criminal activity.’
     • ‘Her uncle cut off all relations with her parents, who supported her decision to enter the academy.’
     • ‘He's not evil, just understandably screwed up by the failure of his marriage and the continuing decline in relations with his mother.’
     • ‘During prepubescence, relations between brothers and sisters are free and easy.’
     • ‘It defines social relations, possible marriage partners, and often jobs as well.’
     • ‘The marriage stabilized relations between the English and Powhatans until after her death.’
     • ‘It would also be interesting to examine other areas of family conflict and parent-child relations.’
     • ‘Nor should a parent instill disrespect in a child for the other parent as this may well undermine a child's relations with that parent.’
     • ‘Customs centering on marriage and gender relations are hotly debated.’
     • ‘Accordingly, the husband determined the marital domicile and was the dominant figure in the relation of parent and child.’
     Synonyms

     dealings, associations, communication, relationship, connections, contact, interaction, intercourse

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  2. 1.2relationsformal Sexual intercourse.
     ‘we had stopped having relations of any kind’
     More example sentences

     • ‘they can take vows of chastity, and give up sexual relations entirely’
     • ‘Sexual relations with anyone but the legitimate spouse, as noted above, were and are still deemed illicit.’
     • ‘Sexual relations have ceased after the death in infancy of their son some years before.’
     • ‘Sexual relations were not for pleasure but for the production of children only.’
     • ‘At the same time, it doesn't exploit lesbian relations as a kinky fad.’
     • ‘Some people are looking for a serious relationship, while some just want to chat, date or have casual relations.’
     • ‘Sex is wonderful, but he has another woman he has relations with, and we all live in the same building.’
     • ‘Do you promise to moan continually about lack of conjugal relations?’
     • ‘If the world had more of an open mind about gay and lesbian relations there wouldn't be as much commotion about the subject at hand.’
     • ‘Monogamy and legal marriage are the norm, but extramarital and premarital relations are common.’
     • ‘Serials in which extramarital relations and marital problems are shown, tend to have a worse effect on the psyche of a child.’
     Synonyms

     sex, sexual intercourse, intercourse, lovemaking, making love, sex act, anal penetration, sexual penetration, vaginal penetration

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• 2A person who is connected by blood or marriage; a kinsman or kinswoman.

  ‘she was no relation at all, but he called her Aunt Nora’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Had he not been his brother and his closest relation, he would have murdered him in cold blood.’
  • ‘He is survived by his wife Tess, three sons and two daughters, family relations and a host of friends he made through the music business.’
  • ‘The definition does not include your cousins or any relations by marriage.’
  • ‘He is survived by his sister Margaret in England, nephew and niece, relations, neighbours and friends.’
  • ‘We extend to all her sons, daughters, grandchildren, relations and friends our heartfelt sympathy.’
  • ‘He is mourned by his wife Marie, children, grandchildren and relations.’
  • ‘The majority are fathers, brothers, uncles, relations, neighbours or babysitters.’
  • ‘We extend sincere sympathy to his mother Maisie, sister and brothers, relations and many friends.’
  • ‘She is survived by her husband, sons, mother, brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces and other relations.’
  • ‘Sympathy is extended to his wife, family, relations and friends.’
  • ‘She is survived by her sons, daughters, brother, grandchildren, nephews, nieces and by other relations.’
  • ‘He is survived by his nephews, nieces, brother-in-law, sister-in-law and by other relations.’
  • ‘Sincere sympathy is extended to his nieces, nephews and relations.’
  • ‘At this stage, I was finding it upsetting, seeing a close relation, who once knew me well, so disorientated.’
  • ‘This means that we all know and probably have a close relation who has had an abortion in England.’
  • ‘Perhaps there is comfort here for anyone who dreads the death of a close relation.’
  • ‘The man he had ordered killed must have been a close relation of hers; most likely her father.’
  • ‘Parents, uncles, aunts, and relations were present for the memorable occasion.’
  • ‘They didn't even look like distant relations of each other, much less the same person.’
  • ‘Are many of your relations students, available only during the holidays or the summer?’

  Synonyms

  relative, member of someone's family, member of the family, one's flesh and blood, one's own flesh and blood, next of kin

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• 3The action of telling a story.

  ‘She is calumniated by some people, who think the relation of this story to be a reflection.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Their death lives on in the relation of this story.’

  Synonyms

  enumeration, list, litany, catalogue, listing, detailing, itemizing, specification

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