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
interpretatively
adverb
interpretively
adverb
Examples of interpretation in a Sentence
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 president's interpretation of a 19th century constitutional provision would fundamentally alter how the citizenship clause has long been understood.
—
Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 5 Dec. 2025
But lawmakers offered starkly differing interpretations of the video after the hearing.
—Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
There’s no shortage of restomod operations in 2025, each dedicated to the pursuit of starting with canonical pieces of automotive history, and molding together the best technology, materials, and design to assemble sensational new interpretations of these masterworks.
—Peter Nelson, Robb Report, 3 Dec. 2025
Clear tail drags are extremely rare in the fossil record and often disputed, because of how open to interpretation partial marks are – unlike here.
—New Atlas, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for interpretation
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Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 5 Dec. 2025
But lawmakers offered starkly differing interpretations of the video after the hearing.
—Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
There’s no shortage of restomod operations in 2025, each dedicated to the pursuit of starting with canonical pieces of automotive history, and molding together the best technology, materials, and design to assemble sensational new interpretations of these masterworks.
—Peter Nelson, Robb Report, 3 Dec. 2025
Clear tail drags are extremely rare in the fossil record and often disputed, because of how open to interpretation partial marks are – unlike here.
—New Atlas, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for interpretation
Cite this Entry
“Interpretation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interpretation. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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
Legal Definition
interpretation
noun
in·ter·pre·ta·tion
in-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-shən
: the act or result of interpreting compare construction
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