correlation

noun

cor·​re·​la·​tion ˌkȯr-ə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce correlation (audio)
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
2
: the act of correlating
correlational
ˌkȯr-ə-ˈlā-shnəl How to pronounce correlation (audio)
-shə-nᵊl
ˌkär-
adjective

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 But in this case, any clues involving the color black turned out to have a much more direct correlation, with the new song. Chris Willman, Variety, 3 Mar. 2024 In many cases, correlation has been confused with causation and led some to believe refined grains lead to a slew of diseases that shouldn’t actually be attributed to eating a normal amount of them. Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2024 These tools, such as IBM's Watson Analytics and SAS Enterprise Miner, harness the power of machine learning algorithms to analyze vast datasets, identifying patterns and correlations that might elude traditional methods. Sal Rehmetullah, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Like Dunn said, there isn’t a direct correlation between how early in a year the region records a 90-degree day and how hot the summer will be. Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Feb. 2024 There is a strong correlation between internships and college-level employment after graduation, according to the report. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2024 There is some definitive correlation between all three of these things. The Indianapolis Star, 23 Feb. 2024 Though there is a correlation between neurodivergency and eating disorders, there is also confusion among doctors, who might misdiagnose the eating style of a person on the spectrum as a disorder. Betsy Andrews, Saveur, 14 Feb. 2024 Since the last two years have been the lowest levels of sea ice on record around Antarctica, the correlation is worrying, and the trend is only expected to accelerate as the planet warms. Bill Weir, CNN, 4 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'correlation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin correlation-, correlatio, from Latin com- + relation-, relatio relation

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of correlation was in 1561

Dictionary Entries Near correlation

Cite this Entry

“Correlation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/correlation. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

correlation

noun
cor·​re·​la·​tion ˌkȯr-ə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce correlation (audio)
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
correlational
-shnəl How to pronounce correlation (audio)
-shən-ᵊl
adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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