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

Amos Harel, a senior security analyst for the leftwing Haaretz newspaper, says that both the security and political explanations are relevant. — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

The cynical explanation is that the Treasury Secretary is playing politics. — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026

Somewhere along the way, the answer stopped needing an explanation. — Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

The Chinese message offered no explanation for the cause of the delay from the Wenchang Space Launch Site, located on an island in the South China Sea. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 23 Aug. 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