explanation

noun

ex·​pla·​na·​tion ˌek-splə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: the act or process of explaining

declined without any explanation

The company offered little by way of explanation for the problems. [=as a way of explaining why there were problems]

2

: something that explains

The professor's explanation was that the poem was really a parody.

Synonyms of explanation

• interpretation
• illustration
• clarification

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

In other words, regulators reached for a regulatory explanation—burdensome listing rules—for a phenomenon with structural economic roots. —Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026

Nester said there is an innocent explanation. —Natalie Morales, CBS News, 24 May 2026

No explanation, no farewell episode, no acknowledgment that a human being had just evaporated from the cast. —Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 2026

For most Americans, skipping work for almost three months with little explanation would be a one-way ticket to unemployment. —Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 23 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for explanation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids 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