rationale

American  

[rash-uh-nal] / ˌræʃ əˈnæl /

noun

• rationales
  plural

1. the fundamental reason or reasons serving to account for something.

   Synonyms:

   ground, basis, logic

2. a statement of reasons.

3. a reasoned exposition of principles.

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rationale British  

/ ˌræʃəˈnɑːl /

noun

1. a reasoned exposition, esp one defining the fundamental reasons for a course of action, belief, etc

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• rationales
  plural

Etymology

Origin of rationale

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin: neuter of ratiōnālis rational

Explanation

The rationale for something is the basic or underlying reason or explanation for it. This noun (pronounced "rash-uh-NAL") is usually used in the singular: What was the rationale behind his decision to quit? The related adjective rational means "based on facts or reason" or "having the ability to think clearly." An example of a rational rationale? You add extra baking soda to pancake batter under the rationale that if you want them to be fluffier, you need more rising agent. Rationale is from Latin, from rationalis "relating to reason," from ratio "calculation, reason," from rērī "to consider, think."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

rationale rationales

Plaid Cymru, which runs Wales' government after its election victory in May, posted a statement on its Instagram page from one of its Welsh Parliament members who questioned the rationale for the decision.

From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026

Reyes found the policy “soaked in animus” and its military rationale “dripping with pretext.”

From Slate ● Sep. 1, 2026

Absent soft August data, holding in September would put him back where July left him, explaining a decision without a satisfying rationale.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 30, 2026

Crucially, this indicator’s theoretical rationale is distinct from each of the other eight.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 24, 2026

It was indeed in the Spanish interest to exaggerate the extent of human sacrifice, because ending what Cortes called this “most horrid and abominable custom” became a post hoc rationale for conquest.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

The agencies’ stipulations are part of the record Lin will consider then; they all include spreadsheets listing the terminated grants and the rationales for their terminations.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

That will create more costs for borrowers in the form of volatility and risk premiums, as investors guess at policy rationales and how the central bank will respond to recent data.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 10, 2026

The companies have offered differing rationales for the reductions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 24, 2026

None of these rationales bears any relation to a traditional American national security strategy.

From Salon ● Mar. 14, 2026

We have heard the rationales offered by the nuclear superpowers.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Related Words

• excuse
• explanation
• hypothesis
• justification
• motivation
• motive
• philosophy
• principle
• rationalization
• reason
• theory