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

The most popular explanation for this shift has nothing to do with the big-city experience.

From Slate

This is a powerful explanation of the left’s declining performance in and around cities: That’s where the Latino ideological shift was concentrated.

From Slate

The Hall of Fame defensive end and current TV personality offered that explanation about Sunday’s viral and controversial moment in a video posted to his Instagram account Tuesday night.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite some activist groups suggesting that the whale had been shot, that explanation has been dismissed by the Norwegian police.

From BBC

That’s too simple an explanation of how Trump behaves in general, and what he’s doing here.

From Salon

Related Words

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