rationale

noun

ra·​tio·​nale ˌra-shə-ˈnal 

1

: an explanation of controlling principles of opinion, belief, practice, or phenomena

2

: an underlying reason : basis

Did you know?

Rationale comes from Latin ratio, meaning "reason," and rationalis, "endowed with reason." Ratio is reasonably familiar as an English word for the relationship (in number, quantity, or degree) between things.

Synonyms

• account
• accounting
• argument
• case
• explanation
• reason

Examples of rationale in a Sentence

the rationale for starting the school day an hour later is that kids will supposedly get an extra hour of sleep

Recent Examples on the Web

The common rationale for foreign aid to Israel is that such assistance shows that Americans are kind and benevolent. —Jacob Hornberger, Orange County Register, 12 May 2024

So, any claim that something is hate speech can be converted into a rationale for censoring anything that anyone says, sooner or later. —Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, neuter of rationalis

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

rationale

noun

ra·​tio·​nale ˌrash-ə-ˈnal 

: a basic reason or explanation for something