relative to

preposition

: with regard to : in connection with

Examples of relative to in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The brain is suspended in fluid inside the skull, and sudden movement can cause the brain to shift relative to the surrounding structures. — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026 When the device rotates, the frequencies of these signals shift slightly relative to each other. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026 Last year, union members helped push for an ordinance in Long Beach that requires grocery chains to increase the number of employees relative to self-checkout stands. — Ella Chakarian, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 The most important and fundamental rule to ground hunting is that the wind must be moving in a favorable direction relative to the bowhunter’s position, and a deer’s likely line of approach. — Colin Moore, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for relative to

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of relative to was in 1649

Rhymes for relative to

See All Rhymes for relative to

Browse Nearby Words

relative term
relative to
relative velocity
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Relative to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relative%20to. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

relative to

preposition
: in relation to
the angle of the pole relative to the ground
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All