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 some correlation data based on the 5-year and 3-year (more recent) history.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Electrical equipment manufacturers nVent Electric and Monolithic Power Systems also had high correlations, as did water utility Essential Utilities .
—Yun Li,nick Wells, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
Falls Village Veterinary Hospital says that while scientific evidence doesn't confirm a link between color and behavior, a study from 2022 found correlations between a cat's personality and the owner's expectations and socialization practices.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
The research on magnesium for heart health has shown a correlation between higher magnesium intake and reduced disease risk.
—Jennifer Lefton, Verywell Health, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for correlation
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Electrical equipment manufacturers nVent Electric and Monolithic Power Systems also had high correlations, as did water utility Essential Utilities .
—Yun Li,nick Wells, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
Falls Village Veterinary Hospital says that while scientific evidence doesn't confirm a link between color and behavior, a study from 2022 found correlations between a cat's personality and the owner's expectations and socialization practices.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
The research on magnesium for heart health has shown a correlation between higher magnesium intake and reduced disease risk.
—Jennifer Lefton, Verywell Health, 16 Sep. 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 23 Sep. 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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