cor·re·late
ˈkȯr-ə-lət 
ˈkär-,
-ˌlāt
1
: either of two things so related that one directly implies or is complementary to the other (such as husband and wife)
brain size as a correlate of intelligence
2
: a phenomenon that accompanies another phenomenon, is usually parallel to it, and is related in some way to it
… precise electrical correlates of conscious thinking in the human brain …—
Bayard Webster
Bayard Webster
correlate
adjective
cor·re·late
ˈkȯr-ə-ˌlāt
ˈkär-
correlated; correlating
: to bear reciprocal or mutual relations : correspond
If two things correlate, a change in one thing results in a similar or opposite change in the other thing.
1
a
: to establish a mutual or reciprocal relation between
correlate activities in the lab and the field
b
: to show correlation or a causal relationship between
There is no evidence correlating the cracking of one's knuckles and development of osteoarthritis.
2
: to present or set forth so as to show relationship
He correlates the findings of the scientists, the psychologists, and the mystics.—Eugene Exman
Eugene ExmanSynonyms
Examples of correlate in a Sentence
Noun
brain size as a correlate of intelligence
the often uneasy relationship between the employer and his correlate, the employee
Verb
There is no evidence correlating height and intelligence.
a demanding father who always correlated success with hard work
Recent Examples on the Web
Francis Fukuyama, Foreign Affairs, 18 Jan. 2021
This pull-back correlates with the growing insistence from investors for profitability, shifting streamers’ business tactics.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 24 Jan. 2024
Shain Shapiro, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
As the chart below shows, a Harris loss would be just the third time since World War II that a candidate representing the fortunes of an incumbent party hasn’t been correlated to the performance of the stock market.
—Greg McKenna, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for correlate 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Noun
As the political scientist Jonathan Rodden has shown, the single biggest correlate of pro- and anti-Trump sentiment is population density.
—Francis Fukuyama, Foreign Affairs, 18 Jan. 2021
This pull-back correlates with the growing insistence from investors for profitability, shifting streamers’ business tactics.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 24 Jan. 2024
Verb
The fastest growing listener bases (and probably creators) are also in emerging markets across Africa and Latin America, which correlates with countries with majority populations under 30.
—Shain Shapiro, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
As the chart below shows, a Harris loss would be just the third time since World War II that a candidate representing the fortunes of an incumbent party hasn’t been correlated to the performance of the stock market.
—Greg McKenna, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for correlate
Dictionary Entries Near correlate
Cite this Entry
“Correlate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/correlate. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share