relation

[[t]rɪle͟ɪʃ(ə)n[/t]]

♦♦

relations

1) N-COUNT: usu pl Relations between people, groups, or countries are contacts between them and the way in which they behave towards each other.

→ See also , public relations, race relations

Greece has established full diplomatic relations with Israel...

Apparently relations between husband and wife had not improved...

The company has a track record of good employee relations.

2) N-COUNT: usu sing, usu N of/to/between n If you talk about the relation of one thing to another, you are talking about the ways in which they are connected.

It is a question of the relation of ethics to economics.

...a relation between youthful unemployment and drug-related offences...

This theory bears no relation to reality.

Syn:

relationship

3) N-COUNT Your relations are the members of your family.

→ See also poor relation

...visits to friends and relations...

In America they are touting Hugh Grant as the next Cary Grant (no relation).

Syn:

relative

4) PHR-PREP You can talk about something in relation to something else when you want to compare the size, condition, or position of the two things.

The money he'd been ordered to pay was minimal in relation to his salary.

...women's position in relation to men in the context of the family...

You are given a map so that you can see where your villa is in relation to the swimming pool.

5) PHR-PREP If something is said or done in relation to a subject, it is said or done in connection with that subject.

...a question which has been asked many times in relation to Irish affairs...

He is the sixth person to be arrested in relation to the coup plot.

Syn:

in connection with