reason

[ ree-zuhn ]

noun

1. a basis or cause, as for some belief, action, fact, event, etc.:

   the reasons for declaring war.

   Synonyms: objective, object, aim, end, purpose

2. a statement presented in justification or explanation of a belief or action:

   I dare you to give me one good reason for quitting school!

3. sufficient cause, as produced by a situation that makes an act, feeling, etc., obviously proper or appropriate:

   After the mess he made of our yard, we have good reason to look for another landscaper.

   Synonyms: rationalization, excuse

4. the mental powers concerned with forming conclusions, judgments, or inferences:

   Effective leadership requires a person of reason.

   Synonyms: intelligence, mind, intellect, understanding

5. sound judgment; good sense.
6. normal or sound powers of mind; sanity.
7. Logic. a premise of an argument.
8. Philosophy.
   1. the faculty or power of acquiring intellectual knowledge, either by direct understanding of first principles or by argument.
   2. the power of intelligent and dispassionate thought, or of conduct influenced by such thought.
   3. Kantianism. the faculty by which the ideas of pure reason are created.

verb (used without object)

1. to think or argue in a logical manner.
2. to form conclusions, judgments, or inferences from facts or premises.
3. to urge reasons which should determine belief or action.

   Synonyms: persuade

verb (used with object)

1. to think through logically, as a problem (often followed by out ).
2. to conclude or infer.
3. to convince, persuade, etc., by reasoning.
4. to support with reasons.

reason

/ ˈriːzən /

noun

1. the faculty of rational argument, deduction, judgment, etc
2. sound mind; sanity
3. a cause or motive, as for a belief, action, etc
4. an argument in favour of or a justification for something
5. philosophy the intellect regarded as a source of knowledge, as contrasted with experience
6. logic grounds for a belief; a premise of an argument supporting that belief
7. by reason of
   because of
8. in reason or within reason
   within moderate or justifiable bounds
9. it stands to reason
   it is logical or obvious

   it stands to reason that he will lose

10. listen to reason
    to be persuaded peaceably
11. reasons of State
    political justifications for an immoral act

verb

1. when tr, takes a clause as object to think logically or draw (logical conclusions) from facts or premises
2. intrusually foll bywith to urge or seek to persuade by reasoning
3. troften foll byout to work out or resolve (a problem) by reasoning

Usage Note

The construction reason is because is criticized in a number of usage guides: The reason for the long delays was because the costs greatly exceeded the original estimates. One objection to this construction is based on its redundancy: the word because (literally, by cause ) contains within it the meaning of reason; thus saying the reason is because is like saying “The cause is by cause,” which would never be said. A second objection is based on the claim that because can introduce only adverbial clauses and that reason is requires completion by a noun clause. Critics would substitute that for because in the offending construction: The reason for the long delays in completing the project was that the costs. … Although the objections described here are frequently raised, reason is because is still common in almost all levels of speech and occurs often in edited writing as well. A similar charge of redundancy is made against the reason why, which is also a well-established idiom: The reason why the bill failed to pass was the defection of three key senators.

Usage

The expression the reason is because… should be avoided. Instead one should say either this is because… or the reason is that…

Derived Forms

• ˈreasoner, noun

Other Words From

• reason·er noun
• non·reason noun
• non·reason·er noun
• outreason verb (used with object)
• sub·reason noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of reason¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English resoun, reisun (noun), from Old French reisun, reson, from Latin ratiōn- (stem of ratiō ) ratio

Word History and Origins

Origin of reason¹

C13: from Old French reisun , from Latin ratiō reckoning, from rērī to think

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. bring (someone) to reason, to induce a change of opinion in (someone) through presentation of arguments; convince:

   The mother tried to bring her rebellious daughter to reason.

2. by reason of, on account of; because of:

   He was consulted about the problem by reason of his long experience.

3. in / within reason, in accord with reason; justifiable; proper:

   She tried to keep her demands in reason.

4. stand to reason, to be clear, obvious, or logical:

   With such an upbringing it stands to reason that the child will be spoiled.

5. with reason, with justification; properly:

   The government is concerned about the latest crisis, and with reason.

More idioms and phrases containing reason

see by reason of ; in reason ; it stands to reason ; listen to reason ; lose one's mind (reason) ; rhyme or reason ; see reason ; stand to reason ; with reason .

Synonym Study

Reason, cause, motive are terms for a circumstance (or circumstances) which brings about or explains certain results. A reason is an explanation of a situation or circumstance which made certain results seem possible or appropriate: The reason for the robbery was the victim's display of his money. The cause is the way in which the circumstances produce the effect, that is, make a specific action seem necessary or desirable: The cause was the robber's extreme need of money. A motive is the hope, desire, or other force which starts the action (or an action) in an attempt to produce specific results: The motive was to get money to buy food for his family.

Example Sentences

We can always use reasons to laugh, but the stories that remind us of our humanity and worth at any age have higher value – especially now.

From Salon

"The model allows us to begin to explore the reasons for those rules."

From Science Daily

Every time an oarfish makes an appearance on the sand, it’s a spectacle for scientists as well as the general public for several reasons.

From Los Angeles Times

As the traditional ways of life are lost, the reasoning goes, people exchange walking for driving, balanced diets for ultraprocessed food, and old rural communities for life in cities.

From Science Magazine

Flynn said he had sought a dual mandate "for the right reasons" but it did not change the fact he had got it wrong.

From BBC

Related Words

• figure out
• infer
• speculate