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
Synonyms
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 previous voucher legislation was ruled unconstitutional by the state's highest court, based on justices' interpretation of the state constitution.
—
Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 23 Oct. 2024
Tracking, after all, is a methodology reliant upon human interpretation—and humans are fallible.
—Ben Goldfarb, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024
The Legal Dispute The heart of this legal battle lies in the interpretation of the school's policies on AI usage at the time of the incident.
—Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024
Crimson liquid drips from the dancers’ fingers; lithe electronic-acoustic music and vocals soundtrack this interpretation of how blood—represented here as both a literal life force and the figurative pulse of the earth—flows through the female spirit.
—Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for interpretation 
Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 23 Oct. 2024
Tracking, after all, is a methodology reliant upon human interpretation—and humans are fallible.
—Ben Goldfarb, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024
The Legal Dispute The heart of this legal battle lies in the interpretation of the school's policies on AI usage at the time of the incident.
—Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024
Crimson liquid drips from the dancers’ fingers; lithe electronic-acoustic music and vocals soundtrack this interpretation of how blood—represented here as both a literal life force and the figurative pulse of the earth—flows through the female spirit.
—Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for interpretation
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'interpretation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near interpretation
Cite this Entry
“Interpretation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interpretation. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
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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