explanation
Americannoun
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the act or process of explaining.
- Synonyms:
- description, interpretation, exposition, explication, elucidation
-
something that explains; a statement made to clarify something and make it understandable; exposition.
an explanation of a poem.
-
a meaning or interpretation.
to find an explanation for a mystery.
-
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.
noun
-
the act or process of explaining
-
a statement or occurrence that explains
-
a clarification of disputed terms or points; reconciliation
Other Word Forms
- overexplanation noun
- preexplanation noun
- reexplanation noun
Etymology
Origin of explanation
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Yet officials responsible for the fire response have still failed to provide a detailed explanation about what led to the failures, much less take responsibility.
From Los Angeles Times
Although the trend was well documented, the biological explanation behind it was unclear.
From Science Daily
Allen and Pérez also said they wanted a fuller explanation of the discipline of a 32-year agency veteran who challenged State Farm over its handling of wildfire claims.
From Los Angeles Times
“But Poe has not cheated; his explanation, if not probable, is possible. The game has been played fairly.”
Its chief executive Connor Jackson said the companies' explanation for leaving is rubbish.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
