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. The Rev. Gilbert Walker:

   It was a strong intuition. The only explanation that I have is that God gave me this intuition that I have family here.

2. Hiranao Honda:

   There are a series of costs that have yet to be budgeted for, such as construction, and we still have to pay for the missiles. There has not been an adequate explanation from the government.

3. Archibald MacLeish:

   The one man who should never attempt an explanation of a poem is its author. If the poem can be improved by it's author's explanations it never should have been published, and if the poem cannot be improved by its author's explanations the explanations are scarcely worth reading.

4. Walter Shaub:

   He has known about the public's concerns regarding the Amazon entries in his disclosures for over a month now, and he never chose to provide the public with an explanation until now.

5. Harry Kazianis:

   The most likely explanation for Kim's absence is with North Korea declaring the coronavirus pandemic an existential threat ... he most likely was taking steps to ensure his health or may have been impacted in some way personally by the virus.

Images & Illustrations of explanation

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