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.

Synonyms

• account
• accounting
• argument
• case
• explanation
• reason

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

While the costs to acquire a later-stage drug will be higher, investors would be able to better vet the program and confirm the rationale behind the drug’s mechanism, Leuchter writes. —Elaine Chen Reprints, STAT, 9 July 2024

However, the foundation of the decision’s rationale was the same issue Williams identified — a proper balance of power among the three branches. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 9 July 2024

Billionaire investor and money manager Mario Gabelli likes what David Ellison and the Skydance Media team said about their rationale for merging the media and production company with Paramount Global. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 8 July 2024

That was the entire rationale for the Revolutionary War. —Jennifer Rubin, Washington Post, 5 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, neuter of rationalis

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

rationale

noun

ra·​tio·​nale ˌrash-ə-ˈnal 

: a basic reason or explanation for something