explanation

[ek-spluh-ney-shuhn]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR explanation ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act or process of explaining.

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.

Origin of explanation

1350–1400; Middle English explanacioun < Latin explānātiōn- (stem of explānātiō), equivalent to explānāt(us) (see explanate) + -iōn- -ion

Related formso·ver·ex·pla·na·tion, nounpre·ex·pla·na·tion, nounre·ex·pla·na·tion, noun

Synonyms for explanation

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR explanation ON THESAURUS.COM

1. elucidation, explication, exposition, interpretation, description. 3. solution, key, answer.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for explanation

comment, interpretation, confession, evidence, motive, sense, information, story, note, statement, answer, commentary, cause, justification, description, excuse, meaning, report, definition, account

Examples from the Web for explanation

Contemporary Examples of explanation

Have you looked around the American Dental Association website for an explanation of how fluoridation actually works?
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers
Michael Schulson
July 27, 2016
This was later repurposed in Europe as an explanation for racial superiority, and the term “Aryan” came to define a white race.
The Himalayas’ Hidden Aryans
Nina Strochlic
January 3, 2015
That explanation is believable…but increasingly less so when you hear Jay talk about the nature of his relationship with Adnan.
The Deal With Serial’s Jay? He’s Pissed Off, Mucks Up Our Timeline
Emily Shire
December 31, 2014
The deacon said he is demanding an explanation from Williams.
Exposed: The Gay-Bashing Pastor’s Same-Sex Assault
M.L. Nestel
December 21, 2014
However the expression on his face offered some explanation.
The Life and Hard Times Of The Family A Cuban Defector Left Behind
Brin-Jonathan Butler
December 19, 2014

Historical Examples of explanation

He started at the words, and looked eagerly in her face for an explanation.
Malbone
Thomas Wentworth Higginson
There could probably be no concealment, certainly no explanation.
Malbone
Thomas Wentworth Higginson
Harry turned to Philip and spoke to him, shouting in his ear the explanation.
Malbone
Thomas Wentworth Higginson
"I can't tell you what I mean," he was saying in explanation.
Way of the Lawless
Max Brand
There must have been a sound, and he glanced over to the trapper for an explanation.
Way of the Lawless
Max Brand

British Dictionary definitions for explanation

explanation

noun

the act or process of explaining

a statement or occurrence that explains

a clarification of disputed terms or points; reconciliation

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for explanation

late 14c., from Latin explanationem (nominative explanatio), noun of action from past participle stem of explanare "to make plain or clear, explain," literally "make level, flatten," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + planus "flat" (see plane (n.1)).