correlation
noun
cor·re·la·tion
ˌkȯr-ə-ˈlā-shən 
ˌkär-
1
: the state or relation of being correlated
specifically
: a relation existing between phenomena or things or between mathematical or statistical variables which tend to vary, be associated, or occur together in a way not expected on the basis of chance alone
… the obviously high positive correlation between scholastic aptitude and college entrance … —
James B. Conant
James B. Conant 2
: the act of correlating
Examples of correlation in a Sentence
the correlation of brain size and intelligence
Researchers have found a direct correlation between smoking and lung cancer.
She says that there's no correlation between being thin and being happy.
Recent Examples on the Web
While the seeds do contain shapes that resemble these three utensils, there’s no scientific basis for their correlation to weather conditions.
—Corey Buhay, Outside Online, 7 Nov. 2024
The researchers looked for — and found — correlations between many seals and proto cuneiform signs.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024
The frenetic trading around the stock often seems to bear little correlation to its business fundamentals.
—Dan Mangan,kevin Breuninger,jake Piazza,annie Nova,rebecca Picciotto,ece Yildirim, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024
The study looked at correlations between temperature and voting using data from presidential elections from 1960 and 2016 in each state.
—Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for correlation 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Corey Buhay, Outside Online, 7 Nov. 2024
The researchers looked for — and found — correlations between many seals and proto cuneiform signs.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024
The frenetic trading around the stock often seems to bear little correlation to its business fundamentals.
—Dan Mangan,kevin Breuninger,jake Piazza,annie Nova,rebecca Picciotto,ece Yildirim, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024
The study looked at correlations between temperature and voting using data from presidential elections from 1960 and 2016 in each state.
—Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for correlation
Dictionary Entries Near correlation
Cite this Entry
“Correlation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/correlation. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
correlation
noun
cor·re·la·tion
ˌkȯr-ə-ˈlā-shən
ˌkär-
1
: the act or process of correlating
2
: the state of being correlated
especially
: a mutual relation discovered to exist between things
the correlation between smoking and lung cancer
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share