interpretation

1 of 2

noun

in·​ter·​pre·​ta·​tion in-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-shən 

-pə-

1

: the act or the result of interpreting : explanation

2

: a particular adaptation or version of a work, method, or style

3

: a teaching technique that combines factual with stimulating explanatory information

natural history interpretation program

interpretational

in-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nəl 

-pə-

adjective

interpretative

in-ˈtər-prə-ˌtā-tiv 

also -prə-tə-tiv

adjective

interpretatively adverb

interpretive

in-ˈtər-prə-tiv 

-pə-

adjective

interpretively adverb

interpretive

2 of 2

adjective

in·​ter·​pre·​tive ən‧ˈtərp(r)ət|iv 

-tə̄p-, 

-təip-, 

-)ət|

: interpretative

interpretively

|ə̇vlē, 

-li

adverb

Synonyms of interpretation

Noun

• explanation
• illustration
• translation
• analysis

Examples of interpretation in a Sentence

Noun

a literal interpretation of the law

The truth will only be found by careful interpretation of the evidence.

His remarks need further interpretation.

an actor's interpretation of the role of Hamlet

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Emilia Jones plays Nancy, an interpretation of Bourdain’s high school sweetheart and eventual first wife Nancy Putkoski. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2026

Humans will continue to be indispensable for interpretation, context and evaluation—to decide what is interesting and why. — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 11 Aug. 2026

Still, because Reese is Black, the comment was quickly given a racial interpretation. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Although Roberts is presumably gratified, too, history’s little joke is that the President currently enjoying this generous new interpretation of his powers is surely not the mannerly, norm-abiding Republican Roberts had in mind decades ago. — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing interpretation

• counter-interpretation

Rhymes for interpretation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

interpretation

noun

in·​ter·​pre·​ta·​tion in-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: the act or the result of interpreting : explanation

2

: an instance of artistic interpretation in performance or adaptation

interpretative

-ˈtər-prə-ˌtāt-iv 

adjective

interpretatively adverb

Medical Definition

interpretation

noun

in·​ter·​pre·​ta·​tion in-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-shən, -pə- 

: the act or result of giving an explanation of something

interpretation of the symptoms of disease

especially : an explanation in understandable terms to a patient in psychotherapy of the deeper meaning according to psychological theory of the material related and the behavior exhibited by the patient during treatment

interpret

in-ˈtər-prət, -pət 

transitive verb

interpretive

-prət-iv, -pət- 

adjective

or interpretative

-prə-ˌtāt-iv  -prət-ət-iv 

Legal Definition

interpretation

noun

in·​ter·​pre·​ta·​tion in-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-shən 

: the act or result of interpreting compare construction

interpretative

in-ˈtər-prə-ˌtā-tiv, -tə-tiv 

adjective

interpretive

in-ˈtər-prə-tiv 

adjective