explanation

American  

[ek-spluh-ney-shuhn] / ˌɛk spləˈneɪ ʃən /

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.

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explanation British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• overexplanation noun
• preexplanation noun
• reexplanation noun

Etymology

Origin of explanation

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; see explain

Explanation

An explanation is a statement about how or why something is the way it is. If you're failing math, you'd better come up with a good explanation to give to your parents. Explanation is from the same Latin word as explain: explanare, which means make clear. Because explanation and explain are so closely related, people often try to shoehorn an extra i into the spelling of explanation. Don't. You might think that explanation has the odd spelling, but it is really the more regular of the two because there is no i in explanare.

Example Sentences

This explanation was based on how insects breathe.

From Science Daily • Apr. 25, 2026

On occasion, however, the court produces short opinions that provide some explanation in emergency docket cases, albeit these are often dissents from the justices who disagree with the ruling.

From Salon • Apr. 25, 2026

Once in the hands of experts, the historical value of the hoard - as well as a possible explanation for its burial - began to emerge.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026

One explanation could be Intel, the latest hot chip stock.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

“I believe the good soothsayer was speaking metaphorically. You remember what a metaphor is: when one thing is used to describe another—” But Penelope’s explanation was cut short by a rhythmic sound.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

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