interpretation

[in-tur-pri-tey-shuhn]

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.

interpretation

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of interpretation¹

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

Example Sentences

What better way to make the afterlife slightly less terrifying than to see a version of it with our own eyes on the silver screen, whatever that interpretation might resemble.

Read more on Salon

The authors note that the opinions, interpretations, conclusions and recommendations are their own and are not necessarily endorsed by the Department of Defense, the NIH, VA or other funders.

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He brought to his interpretation a moving blend of guilt over his past behavior and a quiet insistence on the love and admiration he has always felt—if rarely expressed.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

One of her most memorable contributions to fashion is her interpretation of the catsuit.

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It heard that the quango was "too bureaucratic" and had a narrow interpretation of the opportunities in its remit.

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Related Words

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