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
And — that may require a bit of explanation.
—
Alex Crippen, CNBC, 25 Dec. 2025
The truth is there’s never been a definitive explanation.
—Justin Pot, Popular Science, 24 Dec. 2025
There is a simple explanation for this misconception, however, per the MBARI’s website.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025
The other names were redacted without explanation.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explanation
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Alex Crippen, CNBC, 25 Dec. 2025
The truth is there’s never been a definitive explanation.
—Justin Pot, Popular Science, 24 Dec. 2025
There is a simple explanation for this misconception, however, per the MBARI’s website.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025
The other names were redacted without explanation.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 23 Dec. 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 28 Dec. 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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