relational

adjective

re·​la·​tion·​al ri-ˈlā-sh(ə-)nəl 

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

Even relational risk softens, because the connection with an audience no longer lives inside a single platform’s interface. —Stephanie Hind, Rolling Stone, 1 May 2026

Malloy views the preservation of relational depth as essential to the long-term integrity of mental health care. —Nia Bowers, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026

In mental health, where care depends on trust, vulnerability, and relational safety over time, those disruptions can carry real clinical harm. —Sarah Cady, STAT, 27 Apr. 2026

Because of the relational aspect, though, it’s been sitting in legal review indefinitely. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing relational

• relational grammar

Rhymes for relational

• formational
• foundational
• gestational
• gradational
• locational
• mutational
• nonrational
• notational
• rotational
• sensational
• translational
• vibrational