Definition of relation:

• an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together
• ( usually plural) mutual dealings or connections among persons or groups; " international relations"
• The act of relating or telling; also, that which is related; recital; account; narration; narrative; as, the relation of historical events.
• The state of being related or of referring; what is apprehended as appertaining to a being or quality, by considering it in its bearing upon something else; relative quality or condition; the being such and such with regard or respect to some other thing; connection; as, the relation of experience to knowledge; the relation of master to servant.
• Reference; respect; regard.
• A person connected by cosanguinity or affinity; a relative; a kinsman or kinswoman.
• The carrying back, and giving effect or operation to, an act or proceeding frrom some previous date or time, by a sort of fiction, as if it had happened or begun at that time. In such case the act is said to take effect by relation.
• The act of a relator at whose instance a suit is begun.
• The act of narrating or telling; the thing narrated or told; mutual connection between two or more things; association in business or social matters; as, a pleasant relation between partners; reference; respect; as, in relation to; connection by birth or marriage; kinsman or kinswoman.
• Act of relating or telling: recital: that which is related: mutual connection between two things: resemblance: connection by birth or marriage.
• Act of relating; state of being related; recital; mutual connexion; kindred; person akin.
• Connection; reference; regard; allusion; kinship.
• An account or recital.
• A relative.
• The state of being related or of referring; what is apprehended as appertaining to a being or quality, by considering it in its bearing upon something else; relative quality or condition; the being such and such with regard or respect to some other thing;
• Narrative; account; respect; reference; connection between things; connection by birth or marriage; kindred; a person connected by birth or marriage; direct conformity of parts to a whole and to each other.

Usage examples for relation

1. Constance could not yet begin to place Uncle Benny in relation to that ring; but she was beginning to be able to think of Alan and his mother.  The Indian Drum by William MacHarg Edwin Balmer

2. Any relation to the commander of your squadron?  A Lieutenant at Eighteen by Oliver Optic

3. Now look at me- alone in the world, not one livin' bein' to claim me as a relation; an' all this was brought upon me in a single day.  Frank, the Young Naturalist by Harry Castlemon