explanation

[ek-spluh-ney-shuhn]

noun

1. the act or process of explaining.

   Synonyms: description, interpretation, exposition, explication, elucidation

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 Word Forms

• overexplanation noun
• preexplanation noun
• reexplanation 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

Those denunciations came before investigators had offered any explanation for the attack.

From Salon

For the first five minutes, he gave a monologue, working his way through a step-by-step explanation of the “tattoo” process, which he said jokingly, “is not a thing — I just made it up for TikTok.”

From Los Angeles Times

The Supreme Court rejected his request in an unsigned one-page order without explanation.

From Salon

It's not a good look, even with her spokesperson's explanation that she was trying to "assuage" Epstein after he threatened to sue her for defamation.

From BBC

But there may be other explanations for that link.

From BBC

Related Words

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