relational

adjective

re·​la·​tion·​al ri-ˈlā-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce relational (audio)
1
: of or relating to kinship
2
: characterized or constituted by relations
3
: having the function chiefly of indicating a relation of syntax
has is notional in he has luck, relational in he has gone
4
: relating to, using, or being a method of organizing data in a database so that it is perceived by the user as a set of tables
relationally adverb

Examples of relational in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Anne Kirkpatrick, Superintendent of New Orleans Police Department views law enforcement as fundamentally relational. CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026 For me, learning is less academic and more relational. Barnaby Lashbrooke, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026 This direct motion helps rebalance your relational life, especially after a long period of adapting to the unexpected. Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026 Still, the message remains relational at its core. Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for relational

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of relational was in 1662

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Relational.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relational. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster