relation

[ri-ley-shuhn]

noun

1. an existing connection; a significant association between or among things.

   the relation between cause and effect.

   Synonyms: link, tie, relationship
   Antonyms: independence

2. relations,

   1. the various connections between peoples, countries, etc..

      foreign relations.

   2. the various connections in which persons are brought together.

      business and social relations.

   3. sexual intercourse.

3. the mode or kind of connection between one person and another, between an individual and God, etc.

4. connection between persons by blood or marriage.

   Synonyms: kinship, relationship

5. a person who is related by blood or marriage; relative.

   his wife's relations.

6. the act of relating, narrating, or telling; narration.

   Synonyms: description, recital, recitation

7. Law.,  a principle whereby effect is given to an act done at one time as if it had been done at a previous time.

8. Mathematics.

   1. a property that associates two quantities in a definite order, as equality or inequality.

   2. a single- or multiple-valued function.

relation

/ rɪˈleɪʃən /

noun

1. the state or condition of being related or the manner in which things are related

2. connection by blood or marriage; kinship

3. a person who is connected by blood or marriage; relative; kinsman

4. reference or regard (esp in the phrase in or with relation to )

5. the position, association, connection, or status of one person or thing with regard to another or others

6. the act of relating or narrating

7. an account or narrative

8. law the principle by which an act done at one time is regarded in law as having been done antecedently

9. law the statement of grounds of complaint made by a relator

10. logic maths

    1. an association between ordered pairs of objects, numbers, etc, such as … is greater than …

    2. the set of ordered pairs whose members have such an association

11. philosophy

    1. a relation that necessarily holds between its relata, as 4 is greater than 2

    2. a relation that does not so hold

Other Word Forms

• relationless adjective
• nonrelation noun
• prerelation noun
• subrelation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of relation¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English relacion, from Latin relātiōn-, stem of relātiō “a carrying back, narration, repayment”; equivalent to relate + -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of relation¹

C14: from Latin relātiō a narration, a relation (between philosophical concepts)

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in / with relation to, with reference to; concerning.

   It's best to plan with relation to anticipated changes in one's earnings.

see poor relation; relative (in relation) to.

Example Sentences

Earlier this week, the Commission denied reports it had delayed the announcement of Google's fine amid tensions over trade relations between the EU and the US.

From BBC

This covered her personal position in relation to council tax, stamp duty land tax, capital gains tax and inheritance tax.

From BBC

A Peterborough City Council spokesperson said: "A formal complaint has been received by the council in relation to this and we are now considering its contents."

From BBC

The trial of an Army veteran charged with murder in relation to Bloody Sunday is expected to begin as planned later this month, a court has heard.

From BBC

An announcement in relation to tariffs for NI Power and SSE are expected on Friday.

From BBC

Related Words

• relationship