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
There’s already a strong correlation between international films that were previous PCA winners at Toronto and Academy Awards’ international film nominations and winners, Lee noted.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 15 May 2025
Several years later, Mischel noticed a strong correlation between the success of some of those kids later in life (better grades, higher self-confidence) and their ability to delay gratification in nursery school.
—Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2025
Cloud published a study in 2023 on the correlation between extreme heat and suicide watch in solitary.
—Ivy Scott, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2025
Data from 711 municipal wells provided by the Minnesota Geospatial Information Office was also used to determine the correlation between proximity and prevalence of cases.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for correlation
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John Hopewell, Variety, 15 May 2025
Several years later, Mischel noticed a strong correlation between the success of some of those kids later in life (better grades, higher self-confidence) and their ability to delay gratification in nursery school.
—Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2025
Cloud published a study in 2023 on the correlation between extreme heat and suicide watch in solitary.
—Ivy Scott, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2025
Data from 711 municipal wells provided by the Minnesota Geospatial Information Office was also used to determine the correlation between proximity and prevalence of cases.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for correlation
Cite this Entry
“Correlation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/correlation. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
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
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