/ Dictionary / Index R relation: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: re•la•tion Pronunciation: (ri-lā'shun), [key] — n. an existing connection; a significant association between or among things: the relation between cause and effect. foreign relations. the various connections between peoples, countries, etc.:foreign relations. the various connections in which persons are brought together:business and social relations. sexual intercourse. the mode or kind of connection between one person and another, between an individual and God, etc. connection between persons by blood or marriage. a person who is related by blood or marriage; relative: his wife's relations. the act of relating, narrating, or telling; narration. a principle whereby effect is given to an act done at one time as if it had been done at a previous time. a property that associates two quantities in a definite order, as equality or inequality. a single- or multiple-valued function. orwith reference to; concerning: It's best to plan with relation to anticipated changes in one's earnings. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. See also: relation (Thesaurus) related relational Related Content Daily Word Quiz: censure Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language