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
Second, the large amplitudes of the gravitational waves needed to generate the events that Weber was claiming a detection of would provide more energy than could possibly cosmically exist in any-and-all forms of radiation combined; the Universe as a whole ruled his interpretation out.
—
Big Think, 7 Nov. 2025
The mid-century offered more literal interpretations of cave living, from The Flintstones (1960) to the villainous Bond lair, often hidden within or carved into cliffs.
—Leonora Epstein, Architectural Digest, 7 Nov. 2025
Culture is built on interpretation.
—Neel Somani, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2025
Two unanimous high court decisions from 2012 encapsulate the Obama-era overreach of statutory interpretation.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for interpretation
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Big Think, 7 Nov. 2025
The mid-century offered more literal interpretations of cave living, from The Flintstones (1960) to the villainous Bond lair, often hidden within or carved into cliffs.
—Leonora Epstein, Architectural Digest, 7 Nov. 2025
Culture is built on interpretation.
—Neel Somani, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2025
Two unanimous high court decisions from 2012 encapsulate the Obama-era overreach of statutory interpretation.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 6 Nov. 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 10 Nov. 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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