relational database: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2technical/formal
Quick answer
What does “relational database” mean?
A digital database structured to recognize and exploit relations between stored data items.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A digital database structured to recognize and exploit relations between stored data items.
A database management system that organizes data into tables of rows and columns, with a structured query language for accessing and manipulating the data based on the relationships between these tables.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both varieties use the same term. Minor spelling preferences might appear in related documentation (e.g., 'organisation' vs 'organization' in descriptions).
Connotations
Identical technical connotations in both dialects.
Frequency
Equal frequency in professional and academic contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “relational database” in a Sentence
[verb] + relational database (e.g., build, manage, query)relational database + [for + noun phrase] (e.g., for inventory management)relational database + [with + feature] (e.g., with robust security)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “relational database” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The team decided to relationalise the legacy dataset, but it was a complex project.
American English
- We need to relationalize our data storage to improve query efficiency.
adverb
British English
- The data is stored relationally, in separate but linked tables.
American English
- The system is designed to handle data relationally, not in a single document.
adjective
British English
- We adopted a relational database model for its integrity constraints.
American English
- The relational database approach is standard for transactional systems.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in IT departments, project specs, and system architecture discussions. Example: 'The new CRM will run on a standard relational database.'
Academic
Core term in computer science, data science, and information systems courses and research.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used by tech enthusiasts or in simplified explanations of how apps store information.
Technical
The primary and precise context. Discussed in terms of schema, normalisation, ACID properties, joins, and SQL.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “relational database”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “relational database”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “relational database”
- Pronouncing it as 're-lay-shun-al' with stress on 'lay' (correct is /rɪˈleɪʃənəl/).
- Using 'relationship database'.
- Treating it as a general synonym for any database.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'database' is a general term for any organized collection of data. A 'relational database' is a specific type that organizes data into tables (relations) with defined relationships between them, typically accessed using SQL.
Yes, MySQL is a popular open-source Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) that uses the SQL language.
It refers to the mathematical 'relation' as defined in set theory, which is represented as a table of rows (tuples) and columns (attributes). It refers to the relations between the tables via keys, not to relationships between people.
Alternatives are often called NoSQL databases and include document stores (e.g., MongoDB), key-value stores (e.g., Redis), graph databases (e.g., Neo4j), and column-family stores (e.g., Cassandra).
A digital database structured to recognize and exploit relations between stored data items.
Relational database is usually technical/formal in register.
Relational database: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈleɪʃənəl ˈdeɪtəbeɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈleɪʃənəl ˈdeɪtəˌbeɪs/ / ˈdætəˌbeɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a RELATIONAL database as a set of RELATED TABLES (like spreadsheets that can be linked), not about family relations.
Conceptual Metaphor
DATABASE AS FILING CABINET (with labelled, interconnected folders/tables). DATA RELATIONSHIPS AS LINKS or BRIDGES.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary organising principle of a relational database?