Definition

1. Noun:
   • A connection or association between two or more things: "Relation" refers to the way in which people, groups, or concepts are connected or the state of being connected.
   • A person connected by blood or marriage; a relative: "Relation" can also mean a family member, such as a parent, cousin, or in-law.
   • The act of telling or narrating a story: In formal or literary contexts, "relation" can refer to the act of recounting or narrating events.
   • (Law) The principle that an act is considered to have occurred at an earlier time: A legal principle where a later action is treated as if it happened when an earlier, related action occurred.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Connection):
  • There is a clear relation between diet and health.
  • The book explores the relations between the two countries.
• Noun (Family Member):
  • She invited all her close relations to the wedding.
  • He is a distant relation of mine.
• Noun (Narration):
  • His relation of the adventure was captivating.
• Noun (Legal Principle):
  • The court allowed the relation back of the filing date.

Advanced Usage

• "in relation to": concerning; with reference to.
  • We must consider costs in relation to benefits.
• "bear no relation to": to be completely different from; not correspond to.
  • His account bears no relation to the facts.

Variants and Related Words

• Relationship (n): The way in which two or more people or things are connected, or the state of being connected. Often used interchangeably with "relation" for connections, but can also imply a closer emotional bond.
  • Their working relationship is very professional.
• Relational (adj): Concerning the way in which two or more people or things are connected.
  • The study focuses on relational dynamics.
• Relative (n & adj): As a noun, a synonym for a family member (relation). As an adjective, considered in comparison to something else.
  • She is a relative of mine. (n)
  • They discussed the relative merits of each plan. (adj)

Synonyms

• Connection: A relationship in which a person or thing is linked or associated with something else.
• Association: A connection or cooperative link between people or organizations.
• Kinsman/Kinswoman (for family meaning): A person related by blood.

Related Phrases

• Public relations (PR): The professional maintenance of a favorable public image.
  • The company hired a firm to handle its public relations.
• Industrial relations: The relationship between employers and employees.
  • Good industrial relations are key to a productive workplace.

Idioms

• Poor relation: A person or thing that is less important, successful, or advanced than others of the same type.
  • For years, the arts department was the poor relation of the university.

Noun

1. (usually plural) mutual dealings or connections among persons or groups
   • international relations
2. (law) the principle that an act done at a later time is deemed by law to have occurred at an earlier time
   • his attorney argued for the relation back of the amended complaint to the time the initial complaint was filed
3. an act of narration
   • he was the hero according to his own relation
   • his endless recounting of the incident eventually became unbearable
4. a person related by blood or marriage
   • police are searching for relatives of the deceased
   • he has distant relations back in New Jersey
5. the act of sexual procreation between a man and a woman; the man's penis is inserted into the woman's vagina and excited until orgasm and ejaculation occur
6. an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together