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
Their results show a factor of between three and five improvement in detail and accuracy in the FLI analysis compared to two- and three-point correlation functions.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 28 Jan. 2025
Porsche was building exquisite lightweight sports cars long before the 917K came along, but the incidence of drivers who drove one in period who then went and bought one later in life is an interesting correlation.
—New Atlas, 27 Jan. 2025
Now, a recent study highlights an unexpected correlation between birth order and personality, uncovering that middle children are more honest, humble, and agreeable than their siblings.
—Annabelle Canela, Parents, 24 Jan. 2025
One player on a team that has been on multiple deep playoff runs sees a correlation between large team get-togethers and on-ice success.
—Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for correlation 
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Keith Cooper, Space.com, 28 Jan. 2025
Porsche was building exquisite lightweight sports cars long before the 917K came along, but the incidence of drivers who drove one in period who then went and bought one later in life is an interesting correlation.
—New Atlas, 27 Jan. 2025
Now, a recent study highlights an unexpected correlation between birth order and personality, uncovering that middle children are more honest, humble, and agreeable than their siblings.
—Annabelle Canela, Parents, 24 Jan. 2025
One player on a team that has been on multiple deep playoff runs sees a correlation between large team get-togethers and on-ice success.
—Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
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 2 Feb. 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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