Relationship

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ɹɪˈleɪʃənˌʃɪp/
• Hyphenation: re + la + tion + ship

Origin

From relation + -ship.

Full definition of relationship

Noun

1. Connection or association; the condition of being related.
• 2013-08-10, Schumpeter, Cronies and capitols, Policing the relationship between government and business in a free society is difficult. Businesspeople have every right to lobby governments, and civil servants to take jobs in the private sector.
2. Kinship; being related by blood or marriage.
3. A romantic or sexual involvement.
   Why are they being mean to her just because she wants a relationship with someone of the same gender?
4. A way in which two or more people behave and are involved with each other
   I have a good working relationship with my boss.
• 2012, August 5, Nathan Rabin, TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “I Love Lisa” (season 4, episode 15; originally aired 02/11/1993), “I Love Lisa” opens with one of my favorite underappreciated running jokes from The Simpsons: the passive-aggressive, quietly contentious relationship of radio jocks Bill and Marty, whose mindless happy talk regularly gives way to charged exchanges that betray the simmering resentment and disappointment perpetually lingering just under the surface of their relationship.
5. (music) The level or degree of affinity between keys, chords and tones.

Derived terms

• joking relationship