explanation
noun
ex·pla·na·tion
ˌek-splə-ˈnā-shən 
1
: the act or process of explaining
2
: something that explains
gave no explanation
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
Without any explanation, the Supreme Court cleared the way for the Trump Administration to begin dismantling a cabinet agency, created by Congress, that is tasked with fulfilling the federal government’s obligation to support public education.
—
Andrea Campbell, Time, 6 Aug. 2025
Why Gartner’s Stock Fell 28% Gartner’s stock fell sharply because the company significantly lowered its growth forecast for the core Insights business line and failed to offer a compelling explanation for why and what Gartner would do to revive its double digit growth.
—Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
As an example of the toll, NPR reported on a local health department in North Carolina that laid off staff because of CDC funding delays, only to have the funding come through weeks late without explanation.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 5 Aug. 2025
The state was named to an initial list that was taken down shortly after its publication without explanation.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2025
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Andrea Campbell, Time, 6 Aug. 2025
Why Gartner’s Stock Fell 28% Gartner’s stock fell sharply because the company significantly lowered its growth forecast for the core Insights business line and failed to offer a compelling explanation for why and what Gartner would do to revive its double digit growth.
—Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
As an example of the toll, NPR reported on a local health department in North Carolina that laid off staff because of CDC funding delays, only to have the funding come through weeks late without explanation.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 5 Aug. 2025
The state was named to an initial list that was taken down shortly after its publication without explanation.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 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 Aug. 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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