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

These explanations, packed with insight, offer an invaluable perspective for young players questioning their own thought processes. — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Trump posted the image on his Truth Social platform without explanation. — Reuters, NBC news, 8 Sep. 2026

Honing cautions that the neural explanation is only one possibility. — Anirban Mukhopadhyay, Scientific American, 7 Sep. 2026

Decades later, Lowe has come up with his own explanation for why Hughes never came calling. — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 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