/ 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.