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

Azerbaijan’s president accused Russia of trying to cover up its role in the crash, saying that Russian authorities’ explanations—which initially faulted a flock of birds and an exploding gas cylinder—were “foolish and dishonest.”

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But I’ve yet to hear a good explanation why certain athletes can handle the clamor of a crowd and others need laboratory conditions.

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“I accepted the explanation, but years later, I wondered if it was supposed to bend that much,” he told Mr. Bacon.

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“The legacy of the inflation surge and price attentiveness continue to weigh on consumption and saving decisions, with a higher saving ratio via precautionary motives being one explanation for the consumption gap,” Mann said.

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And remember that hypocrisy is just one explanation for the behavior.

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Related Words

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