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.
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
Even when the explanations don’t pass muster, the pictures strike a chord.
—
Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 13 Nov. 2025
The challenge is to find the correct explanation that fits all facets of our observations, and is still powerfully predictive for what signals should appear versus the ones that actually showed up.
—Big Think, 13 Nov. 2025
One possible explanation is that helping is driven by receiving or observing help.
—Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 13 Nov. 2025
According to the explanation on the museum’s website, the use of poppies has its origins in a poem that was penned by a Canadian physician who had served as a field surgeon in Belgium during the Great War.
—Emily Curiel, Kansas City Star, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explanation
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Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 13 Nov. 2025
The challenge is to find the correct explanation that fits all facets of our observations, and is still powerfully predictive for what signals should appear versus the ones that actually showed up.
—Big Think, 13 Nov. 2025
One possible explanation is that helping is driven by receiving or observing help.
—Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 13 Nov. 2025
According to the explanation on the museum’s website, the use of poppies has its origins in a poem that was penned by a Canadian physician who had served as a field surgeon in Belgium during the Great War.
—Emily Curiel, Kansas City Star, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explanation
Cite this Entry
“Explanation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explanation. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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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