rationale
noun
ra·tio·nale
ˌra-shə-ˈnal 
1
: an explanation of controlling principles of opinion, belief, practice, or phenomena
2
: an underlying reason : basis
Did you know?
Rationale comes from Latin ratio, meaning "reason," and rationalis, "endowed with reason." Ratio is reasonably familiar as an English word for the relationship (in number, quantity, or degree) between things.
Examples of rationale in a Sentence
the rationale for starting the school day an hour later is that kids will supposedly get an extra hour of sleep
Recent Examples on the Web
The last point is encouraging, and provides a rationale for developing new nudging techniques to help Gen Z and others make sound decisions across the financial spectrum.
—
Hersh Shefrin, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
Sundance Institute's Board of Trustees, in a statement, gave a little insight into the rationale.
—Randy Tucker, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025
Documents released last month about the approval of Moderna's new COVID-19 vaccine for only seniors ages 65 and older and others with at least one underlying condition down to age 12 outline a rationale similar to the one Prasad used in his decision about the Novavax shot.
—Nicole Brown Chau, CBS News, 3 July 2025
Each of those 53 strategies benefit one of the six focuses and have a rationale, an action plan and an impact associated with it.
—Rachel Royster, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationale
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Hersh Shefrin, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
Sundance Institute's Board of Trustees, in a statement, gave a little insight into the rationale.
—Randy Tucker, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025
Documents released last month about the approval of Moderna's new COVID-19 vaccine for only seniors ages 65 and older and others with at least one underlying condition down to age 12 outline a rationale similar to the one Prasad used in his decision about the Novavax shot.
—Nicole Brown Chau, CBS News, 3 July 2025
Each of those 53 strategies benefit one of the six focuses and have a rationale, an action plan and an impact associated with it.
—Rachel Royster, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationale
Cite this Entry
“Rationale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rationale. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rationale
noun
ra·tio·nale
ˌrash-ə-ˈnal
: a basic reason or explanation for something
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