reason
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1rea·son
noun \ˈrē-zən\Definition of REASON
1
a : a statement offered in explanation or justification <gave reasons that were quite satisfactory> b : a rational ground or motive <a good reason to act soon> c : a sufficient ground of explanation or of logical defense; especially : something (as a principle or law) that supports a conclusion or explains a fact <the reasons behind her client's action> d : the thing that makes some fact intelligible : cause <the reason for earthquakes> <the real reason why he wanted me to stay — Graham Greene>
2
a (1) : the power of comprehending, inferring, or thinking especially in orderly rational ways : intelligence (2) : proper exercise of the mind (3) : sanity b : the sum of the intellectual powers
3
archaic : treatment that affords satisfaction
— in reason
— within reason
: within reasonable limits
— with reason
: with good cause
See Examples of REASON
- I gave a reason for my absence.
- Is there a reason for your strange behavior?
- There is a reason why they don't want to come.
- I can't give you the report for the simple reason that it isn't yet finished.
- She explained her reasons for deciding to change jobs.
- He wanted to know the reason for their decision.
- Give me one good reason why I should believe you.
- For obvious reasons, we can't do that yet.
- For reasons of space, some of the charts and graphs have been omitted from the article.
- She resigned for personal reasons.
Origin of REASON
Middle English resoun, from Anglo-French raisun, from Latin ration-, ratio reason, computation, from reri to calculate, think; probably akin to Gothic rathjo account, explanation
First Known Use: 13th century
Related to REASON
- Synonyms
- account, accounting, argument, case, explanation, rationale
2reason
verbrea·sonedrea·son·ing \ˈrēz-niŋ, ˈrē-zən-iŋ\
Definition of REASON
intransitive verb
1
a obsolete : to take part in conversation, discussion, or argument b : to talk with another so as to influence actions or opinions <can't reason with them>
2
: to use the faculty of reason so as to arrive at conclusions
transitive verb
1
archaic : to justify or support with reasons
2
: to persuade or influence by the use of reason
3
: to discover, formulate, or conclude by the use of reason <a carefully reasoned analysis>
— rea·son·er \ˈrēz-nər, ˈrē-zən-ər\ noun
Examples of REASON
- He lost the ability to reason.
- He reasoned that both statements couldn't be true.
- She reasoned that something must be wrong.
First Known Use of REASON
15th century
Related to REASON
Rhymes with REASON
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