explanation

[ ek-spluh-ney-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act or process of explaining.

   Synonyms: elucidation, description, interpretation, exposition, explication

2. something that explains; a statement made to clarify something and make it understandable; exposition:

   an explanation of a poem.

3. a meaning or interpretation:

   to find an explanation for a mystery.

   Synonyms: answer, key, solution

4. a mutual declaration of the meaning of words spoken, actions, motives, etc., with a view to adjusting a misunderstanding or reconciling differences:

   After a long and emotional explanation they were friends again.

explanation

/ ˌɛkspləˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of explaining
2. a statement or occurrence that explains
3. a clarification of disputed terms or points; reconciliation

Other Words From

• over·expla·nation noun
• preex·pla·nation noun
• reex·pla·nation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of explanation¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English explanacioun, from Latin explānātiōn-, stem of explānātiō, from explānāt(us) “made understandable” (past participle of explānāre “to smooth out, make understandable”) + -iō -ion; explain

Example Sentences

One possible explanation is that these drugs increase the risk of microbleeds in the brain, which are associated with cognitive decline.

From Science Daily

He said that the television interview was the same format, suggesting there were "alternative explanations for the things we were saying".

From BBC

That is a big part of the explanation for why this argument has got so noisy, so quickly.

From BBC

I asked Sir Keir about it the day after - but the explanations have done little to dampen the anger.

From BBC

The supervising prosecutor on the case, now retired, told The Times that it was a highly unusual change of position, and could offer no explanation.

From New York Times

Related Words

• account
• answer
• cause
• comment
• commentary
• confession
• definition
• description
• evidence
• example
• excuse
• expression
• information
• interpretation
• justification
• meaning
• motive
• note
• report
• resolution