rational

1 of 2

adjective

ra·​tio·​nal ˈrash-nəl How to pronounce rational (audio)
ˈra-shə-nᵊl
1
a
: having reason or understanding
b
: relating to, based on, or agreeable to reason : reasonable
a rational explanation
rational behavior
2
: involving only multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction and only a finite number of times
3
: relating to, consisting of, or being one or more rational numbers
a rational root of an equation
rationally adverb
rationalness noun

rational

2 of 2

noun

: something rational
specifically : rational number

Examples of rational in a Sentence

Adjective human beings are rational creatures insisted there was a rational explanation for the strange creaking noises and that there were no such things as ghosts
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Bad Bunny isn’t interested in ‘clarifying anything’ to fans Sept. 12, 2023 My own mom and sister, two people who are of sound and rational mind, used to be genuinely concerned that duendes were stealing our laundry. Alex Zaragoza, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2023 In these early passages, the parent-child dynamic feels reversed; Georgie is strict and rational while Jason is petulant. Odie Henderson, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2023 The emphasis on his rational and bureaucratic approach, however, glosses over an important source of Vollmer’s ideas: his work overseas at the turn of the century, crushing local resistance in the Philippine-American War. Jack McCordick, The New Republic, 13 Sep. 2023 Bonello instructively distinguishes between the rational business of the international narcotics trade and the sadistic, misogynist gangs in El Salvador, where an old-school patriarchy prevails. Deborah Bonello, Foreign Affairs, 22 Aug. 2023 This is one where time must pass before a rational decision is made. Ndaschel, oregonlive, 18 Aug. 2023 Despite the rational demands of the unions and guilds, studio bigwigs aren’t budging, and their staunch refusal to create a more equitable working environment underscores a big bad that even the worst MCU villain couldn’t rival: capitalism. Ineye Komonibo, refinery29.com, 29 Aug. 2023 Or maybe just sip it, that certainly seems more rational. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 21 Aug. 2023 More rational pricing and packaging is helping to slowly boost per-subscriber economics. Patrick Frater, Variety, 10 Aug. 2023
Noun
Is there a set of points on that line, on the number line, which is larger than the natural numbers, larger than the rationals, but smaller than the whole line itself? Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 19 Apr. 2023 Empirical inquiry—often considered strictly a province of the rational—can also be fueled by fervent belief. Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 6 May 2022 But other states and cities are taking their positive revenues as a rational for deep tax cuts. Richard McGahey, Forbes, 14 Apr. 2022 The gas supply in 1974 was reported to have bottomed out at only about 20% below normal, but drivers acted about 50% below rational. Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2022 In the book, Starhawk defines magic as awakening deeper levels of consciousness beyond the rational. WSJ, 8 Dec. 2021 Darkside is something entirely distinct, a surreal form of magic at war with the rational. Washington Post, 23 July 2021 In her 2017 essay, Khan also pointed to platforms’ creating incentives for companies to favor growth over profits, which ostensibly makes predatory pricing rational. Jessica Melugin, National Review, 22 June 2021 Advocates for race-conscious admissions accept the diversity rational as an article of faith. Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 1 June 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rational.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English racional, from Anglo-French racionel, from Latin rationalis, from ration-, ratio

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1601, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rational was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near rational

Cite this Entry

“Rational.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rational. Accessed 29 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

rational

1 of 2 adjective
ra·​tio·​nal ˈrash-nəl How to pronounce rational (audio)
-ən-ᵊl
1
a
: having the ability to reason
rational beings
b
: relating to, based on, or showing reason : reasonable sense 2
rational behavior
2
: relating to or involving rational numbers
a rational fraction
rationally
adverb

rational

2 of 2 noun
: something rational
especially : rational number

Medical Definition

rational

adjective
ra·​tio·​nal ˈrash-nəl, -ən-ᵊl How to pronounce rational (audio)
1
a
: having reason or understanding
b
: relating to, based on, or agreeable to reason
a rational explanation
rational behavior
2
: using medical treatments based on reason or general principles
used especially of an ancient school of physicians
compare empirical sense 1a
rationally adverb

Legal Definition

rational

adjective
ra·​tio·​nal ˈra-shə-nəl How to pronounce rational (audio)
1
: having reason or understanding
2
: relating to, based on, or guided by reason, principle, fairness, logic, a legitimate state interest, or a consideration of fact
age distinctions are not subject to strict scrutiny, but they must have a rational relationship to a legitimate state interestIn re J. M., 642 A.2d 1062 (1994)
rationality noun
rationally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on rational

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