RELATION


Meaning of RELATION in English

/ rɪˈleɪʃn; NAmE / noun

1.

relations [ pl. ] relation (between A and B) | relation (with sb/sth) 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

Relations with neighbouring countries are under strain at present.

We seek to improve relations between our two countries.

teacher-pupil relations

( formal )

to have sexual relations (= to have sex)

—see also industrial relations , public relations , race relations

2.

[ U , C ] relation (between A and B) | relation (to sth) the way in which two or more things are connected :

the relation between rainfall and crop yields

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.

3.

[ C ] a person who is in the same family as sb else

SYN 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?

—see also blood relation , poor relation

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WORD ORIGIN

Middle English : from Old French , or from Latin relatio(n-) , from referre bring back, from re- back + ferre bring.

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.