rationale

[rash-uh-nal]

noun

1. the fundamental reason or reasons serving to account for something.

   Synonyms: ground, basis, logic

2. a statement of reasons.

3. a reasoned exposition of principles.

rationale

/ ˌræʃəˈnɑːl /

noun

1. a reasoned exposition, esp one defining the fundamental reasons for a course of action, belief, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of rationale¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin: neuter of ratiōnālis rational

Word History and Origins

Origin of rationale¹

C17: from New Latin, from Latin ratiōnālis

Example Sentences

That rationale hasn’t changed, notes Goldman, which says central banks’ purchases appear to have ticked up in September, the latest month for which it has data.

Read more on Barron's

Many couldn’t understand the administration’s rationale, saying the streets had never looked—or smelled—better since IV Waste took over in December.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“But we also have to think about the complex moral decisions and the rationales as to why students go into these careers, and how that is informed by their racial and class backgrounds.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But he warned attempts to widen the scope of the legislation could lead to it being "hijacked for purposes that may undermine the rationale" for it.

Read more on BBC

“We think HBM competitiveness matters for the AI narrative underpinning the rationale for a higher multiple, but is more likely to hold back earnings in the near term as pricing is more stable,” Moore wrote.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• excuse 
• explanation 
• hypothesis 
• justification 
• motivation 
• motive 
• philosophy 
• principle 
• rationalization 
• reason 
• theory