- relations[plural] the way in which two people, groups or countries behave towards each other or deal with each other
- diplomatic/international/foreign relations
- US-Chinese relations
- teacher-student relations
- relations with somebody/something Relations with neighbouring countries are under strain at present.
- relations between A and B We seek to improve relations between our two countries.
- (formal) to have sexual relations (= to have sex)
Collocations International relationsInternational relationsTradesee also industrial relations, public relations, race relations- facilitate/regulate trade (with other countries)
- form/join a trading bloc
- live in/compete in a global/the world economy
- support/promote free trade
- adopt/call for/oppose protectionist measures
- erect/impose/reduce/remove trade barriers
- impose/lift/raise/eliminate import tariffs (on something)
- have/run a huge/large/growing trade surplus/deficit
- embrace/resist/drive globalization
- conduct/handle/talk about/discuss foreign policy
- pursue an aggressive/a hawkish foreign policy
- require/use/conduct diplomacy
- establish/break off/sever/restore diplomatic relations
- foster/promote/strengthen regional cooperation
- facilitate/achieve economic/political integration
- exercise/defend/protect/transfer/restore/regain national/state/full/limited sovereignty
- consolidate/extend/lose/retain your power (in the region)
- hold/maintain/change/alter/shift/be a shift in the balance of power (in the region)
- cause/create/open/expose/heal/repair a deep/growing/major/serious rift between X and Y
- have/hold/host/attend an international conference/an economic forum/a summit meeting
- launch a new round of global/multilateral/world trade negotiations
- send/head/lead/meet a high-level/an official/a trade delegation
- begin/start/continue/resume peace talks
- be committed to/be opposed to/disrupt/undermine/derail/sabotage the peace process
- negotiate/achieve a lasting political settlement
- broker/sign a peace deal/agreement/treaty
- be/constitute/pose a threat to global security
- compromise/endanger/protect national security
- justify/be in favour of/ (US English) be in favor of/be against military intervention
- threaten/authorize/launch/take/support/oppose unilateral/pre-emptive military action
- impose/enforce/lift/end economic sanctions/an arms embargo/a naval blockade
- close/protect/secure/patrol the border
- lead/be involved in a peacekeeping operation
- negotiate/announce a $15 billion aid package/an economic stimulus package
- send/provide/request/cut off military aid
- bring/provide emergency/humanitarian relief
- deliver/distribute medical supplies/(British English) food parcels/(North American English)food packages
- fund/run a foreign/a local/an international NGO
- reduce/eradicate child/global/world poverty
Extra ExamplesTopics Politicsb1- Relations between the two countries are strained.
- Relations between the two states have improved.
- Renewed efforts are being made to improve the strained relations between the two countries.
- The US broke off diplomatic relations with Cuba's communist government.
- The move soured relations between Washington and Moscow.
- Venezuela re-established diplomatic relations with Cuba.
- a breakdown of marital relations leading to divorce
- a period of improved trade relations
- the mechanisms that regulate the relations between labour and capital
- the need to establish good relations with our European partners
- the system governing social relations in India
- (formal) She didn't know he was having relations with another girl.
- He is responsible for press relations and marketing communications at the company.
- There are close relations among firms and their suppliers.
- We are moving to deepen the existing bilateral relations between the three countries.
- She maintained friendly relations with Stephen's family.
- gender relations
- The story explores the power relations between men and women.
- The meeting will seek to normalize relations between the two countries.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- close
- intimate
- cordial
- …
- cultivate
- develop
- establish
- …
- improve
- deteriorate
- sour
- …
- relation among
- relation between
- relation with
- …
- an improvement in relations
- [uncountable, countable] the way in which two or more things are connected
- relation between A and B the relation between rainfall and crop yields
- relation to something the relation of the farmer to the land
- The fee they are offering bears no relation to the amount of work involved.
- Little of what he said has any relation to fact.
- in relation to something (formal) I have some comments to make in relation to (= about) this matter.
- Its brain is small in relation to (= compared with) its body.
Extra Examples- He established a relation between asthma and certain types of work.
- Her work explores the relation between technology and culture.
- The right side of the brain deals with spatial relations between objects.
- The study shows the close relation between poverty and ill health.
- the complex relation between business and society
- the relation of the subject to the object
- Similar policies were pursued in the 1970s, particularly in relation to health services.
- The energy an animal uses is in direct relation to speed and body mass.
- The fee bears little relation to the service provided.
- The film bore no relation to the book.
- There are conflicting views in relation to this issue.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- causal
- direct
- complex
- …
- bear
- have
- establish
- …
- in relation to
- relation between
- relation to
- …
- [countable] a person who is in the same family as somebody else synonym relative
- a close/near/distant relation of mine
- a relation by marriage
- a party for friends and relations
- He's called Brady too, but we're no relation (= not related).
- relation to somebody Is he any relation to you?
- What relation is Rita to you?
WordfinderTopics Family and relationshipsb1Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- close
- near
- distant
- …
- visit
- relation to
- friends and relations
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French, or from Latin relatio(n-), from referre ‘bring back’, from re- ‘back’ + ferre ‘bring’.
Check pronunciation:
relation