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
Studies demonstrate there’s a psychological benefit to tidy domestic spaces as well as a correlation between cleanliness and overall wellbeing.
—Michelle Mastro, JSTOR Daily, 18 Dec. 2024
Lower interest rates also imply a weakening dollar and growing money supply – both of which have demonstrated long-term correlations with bitcoin.
—Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2024
Decades of research have consistently shown no significant correlation between gambling and financial distress.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
His goal was to slim the survey down to only include questions with a statistical correlation to the outcomes that Rice’s team cared about.
—Carly Stern, Vox, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for correlation 
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Michelle Mastro, JSTOR Daily, 18 Dec. 2024
Lower interest rates also imply a weakening dollar and growing money supply – both of which have demonstrated long-term correlations with bitcoin.
—Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2024
Decades of research have consistently shown no significant correlation between gambling and financial distress.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
His goal was to slim the survey down to only include questions with a statistical correlation to the outcomes that Rice’s team cared about.
—Carly Stern, Vox, 6 Dec. 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 22 Dec. 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
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