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
Plaintiffs have used internal documents from the companies to allege that, in house, people have long recognized a correlation between NEC and the use of preterm formulas made from cow’s milk.
—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
Yes, and researchers now have a direct biological mechanism, not just a correlation.
—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
2 July 2026
Major players like Uber and Microsoft report exorbitant AI spending, with budgets exhausted rapidly and little correlation to tangible value.
—
Jemma Green,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
This correlation is also stronger in more temperate regions than tropics, and in countries with fewer human impacts on the environment.
—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for correlation
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David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
Yes, and researchers now have a direct biological mechanism, not just a correlation.
—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
2 July 2026
Major players like Uber and Microsoft report exorbitant AI spending, with budgets exhausted rapidly and little correlation to tangible value.
—
Jemma Green,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
This correlation is also stronger in more temperate regions than tropics, and in countries with fewer human impacts on the environment.
—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
2 July 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 5 Jul. 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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