Definitions for explanation
ˌɛk spləˈneɪ ʃənex·pla·na·tion

Princeton's WordNet(3.24 / 13 votes)Rate this definition:

1. explanation, account(noun)

   a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.

   "the explanation was very simple"; "I expected a brief account"

2. explanation(noun)

   thought that makes something comprehensible

3. explanation(noun)

   the act of explaining; making something plain or intelligible

   "I heard his explanation of the accident"

Wiktionary(3.20 / 5 votes)Rate this definition:

1. explanation(Noun)

   The act or process of explaining

   The explanation was long and drawn-out.

   Etymology: From explanatio, from explanare; see explain.

2. explanation(Noun)

   Something that explains, makes understandable

   An explanation for each UFO sighting was easily found.

   Etymology: From explanatio, from explanare; see explain.

3. explanation(Noun)

   An excuse, apologetic justification not based on enough evidence

   Hoover supporters' "explanations" and former status rarely save him from modern ridicule as a useless expense.

   Etymology: From explanatio, from explanare; see explain.

Webster Dictionary(4.75 / 4 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Explanation(noun)

   the act of explaining, expounding, or interpreting; the act of clearing from obscurity and making intelligible; as, the explanation of a passage in Scripture, or of a contract or treaty

2. Explanation(noun)

   that which explains or makes clear; as, a satisfactory explanation

3. Explanation(noun)

   the meaning attributed to anything by one who explains it; definition; interpretation; sense

4. Explanation(noun)

   a mutual exposition of terms, meaning, or motives, with a view to adjust a misunderstanding, and reconcile differences; reconciliation; agreement; as, to come to an explanation

Freebase(3.25 / 4 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Explanation

   An explanation is a set of statements constructed to describe a set of facts which clarifies the causes, context, and consequences of those facts. This description may establish rules or laws, and may clarify the existing ones in relation to any objects, or phenomena examined. The components of an explanation can be implicit, and be interwoven with one another. An explanation is often underpinned by an understanding that is represented by different media such as music, text, and graphics. Thus, an explanation is subjected to interpretation, and discussion. In scientific research, explanation is one of the purposes of research, e.g., exploration and description. Explanation is a way to uncover new knowledge, and to report relationships among different aspects of studied phenomena. Explanations have varied explanatory power.

Editors Contribution(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. explanation

   The act and process of to explain.

   The explanation was crystal clear and we all understood.

   Submitted by MaryC on April 6, 2020  

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'explanation' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #2137

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'explanation' in Written Corpus Frequency: #3976

3. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'explanation' in Nouns Frequency: #734

How to pronounce explanation?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say explanation in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of explanation in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of explanation in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of explanation in a Sentence

1. Marc Ambinder:

   In the United States, the idea of a deep state offends our common notions of representative government and transparency, so it’s easy to use the term as a weapon against enemies and as a catch-all explanation when things don’t go the way they ought to. This is dangerous because we live in our bubbles, and we are less likely to accept the non-conspiratorial answer for something if it doesn’t fit for our preconceptions.

2. Brennan Appel:

   I thought that it had to be a mistake, how could something like this happen when you've been with a bank since 2002 and you've had such a great relationship? With no explanation as to what you did wrong, you can only make assumptions. I'm running a legal business. I'm not doing anything wrong. I'm following the laws so why are my accounts being closed like this for absolutely, in my opinion, no reason?

3. Florence Brown:

   This is supported by the fact that women with the best diabetes control . . . in pregnancy had offspring that performed better academically than offspring of . . . women without diabetes, the authors of this study do endorse this as a possible explanation for their findings.

4. Nicolas Martin:

   When a dog acts viciously we assume the reason is poor treatment and training by its owner. When a person acts criminally we look for the explanation in his brain, blood, and urine. When will psychiatrists begin testifying to the incompetence of schizophrenic pit bulls?

5. Peter Ruecker:

   I'm just speechless. I don't have any explanation for this. Knowing Andreas, this is just inconceivable for me, he was a lot of fun, even though he was perhaps sometimes a bit quiet. He was just another boy like so many others here.

Images & Illustrations of explanation

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