relationship

(anthropology) relatedness or connection by blood or marriage or adoption.

A relation between people; (`relationship' is often used where `relation' would serve, as in `the relationship between inflation and unemployment', but the preferred usage of `relationship' is for human relations or states of relatedness).

“the relationship between mothers and their children”

A state involving mutual dealings between people or parties or countries.

A state of connectedness between people (especially an emotional connection).

“he didn't want his wife to know of the relationship”