interpretation

noun

in·​ter·​pre·​ta·​tion in-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-shən 

-pə-

1

: the act or the result of interpreting : explanation

2

: a particular adaptation or version of a work, method, or style

3

: a teaching technique that combines factual with stimulating explanatory information

natural history interpretation program

interpretational

in-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nəl 

-pə-

adjective

interpretative

in-ˈtər-prə-ˌtā-tiv 

 also  -prə-tə-tiv

adjective

interpretatively adverb

interpretive

in-ˈtər-prə-tiv 

-pə-

adjective

interpretively adverb

Synonyms

• clarification
• construction
• elucidation
• exegesis
• explanation
• explication
• exposition
• illumination
• illustration
• road map

Example Sentences

a literal interpretation of the law

The truth will only be found by careful interpretation of the evidence.

His remarks need further interpretation.

an actor's interpretation of the role of Hamlet

Recent Examples on the Web

The 1935 court interpretation could encourage people who would like Biden to use a 14th Amendment argument. —Politifact Staff Writer, Dallas News, 16 May 2023

While the series is based on real royals, the interpretation of Queen Charlotte and King George III’s love story and Georgian-era London is not entirely historically accurate. —Leah Campano, Seventeen, 13 May 2023

The system has been repeatedly modified, changing what can be considered clean — and allowing for differing interpretations of progress. —Sabrina Shankman, BostonGlobe.com, 13 May 2023

The need for, and engagement in, specific hygienic behaviors differ between cultures and geographies, as do the threats to human health and their interpretation. —David Hessekiel, Forbes, 4 May 2023

Regular contributor Simon Lazarus, a veteran lawyer in Washington, frequently exposes the fraudulence of the right’s constitutional interpretations and claims. —Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 2 May 2023

Her look was a distinctive interpretation of the bridal aesthetic that dominated the carpet this year. —Tara Gonzalez, Harper's BAZAAR, 2 May 2023

In that ruling from 1984, the Supreme Court said courts should defer to an agency's reasonable interpretation of statutes when the laws are ambiguous. —Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 1 May 2023

Meanwhile, a debate is emerging concerning the proper display and interpretation of these pots. —Christopher Benfey, The New York Review of Books, 20 Apr. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing interpretation

• counter-interpretation

• counter-interpretation

Kids Definition

interpretation

noun

in·​ter·​pre·​ta·​tion in-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: the act or the result of interpreting : explanation

2

: an instance of artistic interpretation in performance or adaptation

interpretative

-ˈtər-prə-ˌtāt-iv 

adjective

interpretatively adverb

Medical Definition

interpretation

noun

in·​ter·​pre·​ta·​tion in-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-shən, -pə- 

: the act or result of giving an explanation of something

interpretation of the symptoms of disease

especially : an explanation in understandable terms to a patient in psychotherapy of the deeper meaning according to psychological theory of the material related and the behavior exhibited by the patient during treatment

interpret

in-ˈtər-prət, -pət 

transitive verb

interpretive

-prət-iv, -pət- 

adjective

or interpretative

-prə-ˌtāt-iv  -prət-ət-iv 

Legal Definition

interpretation

noun

in·​ter·​pre·​ta·​tion in-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-shən 

: the act or result of interpreting compare construction

interpretative

in-ˈtər-prə-ˌtā-tiv, -tə-tiv 

adjective

interpretive

in-ˈtər-prə-tiv 

adjective