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 … —
J. B. Conant
J. 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
The authors took a deceptively simple approach, examining the correlation between racial diversity in a school’s cohort and graduates’ starting salaries.
—ArsTechnica, 29 Apr. 2026
While there is clearly a correlation, or a connection, between salary and collective bargaining, there is not enough fine-grain data to draw a direct, causal link between the two.
—Cory Turner, NPR, 27 Apr. 2026
There’s a direct correlation between a president’s approval rating and the way his party performs at the midpoint of his term.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
This is noted in the movie, with Lecter saying Bill isn't trans and Clarice pointing out there's no correlation between trans people and violence.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for correlation
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ArsTechnica, 29 Apr. 2026
While there is clearly a correlation, or a connection, between salary and collective bargaining, there is not enough fine-grain data to draw a direct, causal link between the two.
—Cory Turner, NPR, 27 Apr. 2026
There’s a direct correlation between a president’s approval rating and the way his party performs at the midpoint of his term.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
This is noted in the movie, with Lecter saying Bill isn't trans and Clarice pointing out there's no correlation between trans people and violence.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for correlation
Cite this Entry
“Correlation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/correlation. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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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