explanation
noun
ex·pla·na·tion
ˌek-splə-ˈnā-shən 
1
: the act or process of explaining
2
: something that explains
gave no explanation
Synonyms
Examples of explanation in a Sentence
The professor's explanation was that the poem is really a parody.
an explanation of photosynthesis that most museum visitors will be able to understand
Recent Examples on the Web
Price said interviews with the two pet owners turned up no obvious explanations for how the drug-resistant germs got into their dogs.
—
Alexander Tin, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2024
Alabama state law allows an officer — who reasonably suspects a crime is being committed — to ask for people's names and addresses and explanations of their actions.
—Jonathan Franklin, NPR, 26 Apr. 2024
Councilmember Carolyn Luna thanked city staffers for their good explanation of a complicated subject.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2024
The letters were followed by repeated calls from an Ovation lab manager to the couples, urging them to sign the release but offering no explanation for what happened.
—Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
These pieces were then donated to the cathedral, where they were displayed in the nave alongside an explanation and a poem.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Apr. 2024
With no explanation from Ed, Liz questioned what changed so quickly that Ed would cancel the wedding without a conversation.
—Kelly Wynne, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2024
The explanation seemed to appease at least a few residents — but not everyone.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC News, 18 Apr. 2024
Prison officials, in their bland pronouncements of his death, gave no explanation of the cause.
—Simon Shuster / Vilnius, TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
Alexander Tin, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2024
Alabama state law allows an officer — who reasonably suspects a crime is being committed — to ask for people's names and addresses and explanations of their actions.
—Jonathan Franklin, NPR, 26 Apr. 2024
Councilmember Carolyn Luna thanked city staffers for their good explanation of a complicated subject.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2024
The letters were followed by repeated calls from an Ovation lab manager to the couples, urging them to sign the release but offering no explanation for what happened.
—Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
These pieces were then donated to the cathedral, where they were displayed in the nave alongside an explanation and a poem.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Apr. 2024
With no explanation from Ed, Liz questioned what changed so quickly that Ed would cancel the wedding without a conversation.
—Kelly Wynne, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2024
The explanation seemed to appease at least a few residents — but not everyone.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC News, 18 Apr. 2024
Prison officials, in their bland pronouncements of his death, gave no explanation of the cause.
—Simon Shuster / Vilnius, TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'explanation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near explanation
Cite this Entry
“Explanation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explanation. Accessed 30 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
explanation
noun
ex·pla·na·tion
ˌek-splə-ˈnā-shən
1
: the act or process of explaining
2
: a statement that makes something clear
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