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
Below is correlation data based on five-year and three-year histories, where 1D_5D denotes the correlation between one-day and five-day returns.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Though the findings describe only a correlation, experts said the data underscored the need for screening and early treatment of diabetes, a condition that is becoming more common worldwide.
—The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025
Bitcoin has held a greater positive correlation with the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) than gold over the past year, and for the past five years, which suggests that bitcoin behaves like a risk asset most of the time.
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2025
Looking at increases or decreases in crime rates in Republican or Democratic cities and claiming either party is to blame would be making exactly this error: confusing correlation with causation.
—Christopher S. Warshaw, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for correlation
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Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Though the findings describe only a correlation, experts said the data underscored the need for screening and early treatment of diabetes, a condition that is becoming more common worldwide.
—The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025
Bitcoin has held a greater positive correlation with the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) than gold over the past year, and for the past five years, which suggests that bitcoin behaves like a risk asset most of the time.
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2025
Looking at increases or decreases in crime rates in Republican or Democratic cities and claiming either party is to blame would be making exactly this error: confusing correlation with causation.
—Christopher S. Warshaw, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 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 26 Apr. 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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