interpretation

American  

[in-tur-pri-tey-shuhn] / ɪnˌtɜr prɪˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of interpreting; elucidation; explication.

   This writer's work demands interpretation.

2. an explanation of the meaning of another's artistic or creative work; an elucidation.

   an interpretation of a poem.

3. a conception of another's behavior.

   a charitable interpretation of his tactlessness.

4. a way of interpreting.

5. the rendering of a dramatic part, music, etc., so as to bring out the meaning, or to indicate one's particular conception of it.

6. oral translation.

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interpretation British  

/ ɪnˌtɜːprɪˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of interpreting or explaining; elucidation

2. the result of interpreting; an explanation

3. a particular view of an artistic work, esp as expressed by stylistic individuality in its performance

4. explanation, as of the environment, a historical site, etc, provided by the use of original objects, personal experience, visual display material, etc

5. logic an allocation of significance to the terms of a purely formal system, by specifying ranges for the variables, denotations for the individual constants, etc; a function from the formal language to such elements of a possible world

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Other Word Forms

• interpretational adjective
• noninterpretational adjective
• overinterpretation noun
• preinterpretation noun
• reinterpretation noun
• self-interpretation noun

Etymology

Origin of interpretation

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Latin interpretātiōn-, stem of interpretātiō; equivalent to interpret ( def. ) + -ation ( def. )

Example Sentences

Our wild imaginations and real-world confrontations with disaster, whether wrought by humans or Mother Nature, only solidify our more anxious interpretations of preparedness.

From Salon

Has the accepted interpretation of the Fourth Amendment changed over the centuries?

From Salon

At the time, it was said they would reopen once a "safe environment" - which does not contravene the Taliban's strict interpretation of Islamic law - had been established.

From BBC

In its ruling, the Supreme Court of Appeal argues that Sahra's interpretation of what items fell under the National Heritage Resources Act was overly broad.

From BBC

"But more important is sort of creating and embodying the unseen parts of his life and trying to get under that skin. Obviously that can only ever be your interpretation."

From BBC

Related Words

• analysis
• clarification
• explanation
• judgment
• meaning
• perception
• reading
• translation