relation noun
1 connection between two or more things
ADJ. causal | direct The energy an animal uses is in direct relation to speed and body mass. | close The study shows the close relation between poverty and ill health. | significant
VERB + RELATION bear, have The film bore no relation to (= was very different from) the book. The fee bears little relation to the service provided. | show
PREP. in ~ to Similar policies were pursued in the 1970s, particularly in relation to health services. | ~ between, ~ to the relation of the subject to the object
2 member of sb's family
ADJ. close, near | distant | blood | poor (often figurative) Other sparkling wines are often considered the poor relations of champagne.
VERB + RELATION visit
PREP. ~ to What relation is Rita to you?
PHRASES friends and relations 3 relations between people/groups/countries
ADJ. close, cordial, friendly, good, harmonious | improved | difficult, poor, strained | class, diplomatic, economic, foreign, gender, human, industrial, international, labour, personal, political, power, public, race, sexual, social, trade The change of government led to improved industrial relations. a public relations exercise | Anglo-American, East-West, etc.
VERB + RELATION cultivate, develop, establish, foster the need to establish good relations with our European partners | break off, damage, sever, suspend Diplomatic relations have been broken off between the two countries. | improve, strengthen Renewed efforts are being made to improve the strained relations between the two countries. | restore, resume | regulate the mechanisms that regulate the relations between labour and capital
RELATION + VERB improve Relations between the two states have improved. | deteriorate, sour, worsen
PREP. ~ among, ~ between, ~ with
PHRASES an improvement in relations
You can also check other dicts: relation (English, 中文解释 ), wordnet sense, Collins Definition