- 1 relations [plural] the way in which two people, groups or countries behave towards each other or deal with each other diplomatic/international/foreign relations US-Chinese relations teacher-pupil relations relation (with somebody/something) Relations with neighbouring countries are under strain at present. relation (between A and B) We seek to improve relations between our two countries. (formal) to have sexual relations (= to have sex)international see also industrial relations, public relations, race relations Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveclose, intimate, cordial, … verb + relationscultivate, develop, establish, … relation + verbimprove, deteriorate, sour, … prepositionrelation among, relation between, relation with, … phrasesan improvement in relations See full entry See related entries: International relations
- 2 [uncountable, countable] the way in which two or more things are connected relation between A and B the relation between rainfall and crop yields relation to something the relation of the farmer to the land The fee they are offering bears no relation to the amount of work involved. (formal) I have some comments to make in relation to (= concerning) this matter. Its brain is small in relation to (= compared with) its body. Little of what he said has any relation to fact. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivecausal, direct, complex, … verb + relationbear, have, establish, … prepositionin relation to, relation between, relation to, … See full entry
- 3 [countable] a person who is in the same family as somebody else synonym relative a close/near/distant relation of mine a relation by marriage a party for friends and relations He's called Brady too, but we're no relation (= not related). Is he any relation to you? Wordfinderfamilyadopt, child, family, generation, heir, in-laws, parent, relation, stepfamily, surrogate mother see also blood relation, poor relation Wordfinderrelationancestor, branch, descent, dynasty, family tree, genealogy, generation, inherit, relation, trace Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveclose, near, distant, … verb + relationvisit prepositionrelation to phrasesfriends and relations See full entry See related entries: Relations, Family background Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French, or from Latin relatio(n-), from referre ‘bring back’, from re- ‘back’ + ferre ‘bring’.Extra examples He established a relation between asthma and certain types of work. Her work explores the relation between technology and culture. Other sparkling wines are often considered the poor relations of champagne. Relations between the two countries are strained. Relations between the two states have improved. Renewed efforts are being made to improve the strained relations between the two countries. Similar policies were pursued in the 1970s, particularly in relation to health services. The US broke off diplomatic relations with Cuba’s communist government. The change of government led to improved industrial relations. The energy an animal uses is in direct relation to speed and body mass. The fee bears little relation to the service provided. The film bore no relation to the book. The move soured relations between Washington and Moscow. The right side of the brain deals with spatial relations between objects. The study shows the close relation between poverty and ill health. Venezuela re-established diplomatic relations with Cuba. What relation is Rita to you? a breakdown of marital relations leading to divorce a period of improved trade relations a public relations exercise the complex relation between business and society the mechanisms that regulate the relations between labour and capital the need to establish good relations with our European partners the relation of the subject to the object the system governing social relations in India He believes that interior design is the poor relation of architecture. He’s called Brady too, but we’re no relation. I have some comments to make in relation to this matter. Its brain is small in relation to its body. Our branch of the family was always regarded as the poor relations. She’s a distant relation of mine.
noun jump to other results
BrE BrE//rɪˈleɪʃn//; NAmE NAmE//rɪˈleɪʃn//
International relations, Relations, Family backgroundCheck pronunciation: relation
