rationale
noun
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If someone asserts that the word rationale refers to a ration of ale, they are wrong, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have an actual rationale (a reason, explanation, or basis) for such a claim. “Rationale looks like the words ration and ale jammed together,” they could offer, and while that is true you’d be justified in responding: “Appearances can be deceiving.” Rationale is a direct borrowing of the Latin word rationale, with which it shares the meaning “an explanation of controlling principles of opinion, belief, practice, or phenomena.” The Latin rationale comes from a form of the adjective rationalis (“rational”), which traces back to the noun ratio, meaning “reason.” While the Latin ratio is also the forebear of the English noun ration, referring to a share of something, rationale has nothing to do with a tankard (or stein, or even a pony) of beer.
Examples of rationale in a Sentence
Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Emergency becomes a standing rationale for centralization.
—Alejandro Reyes, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
As for the other six hires, well, the rationale is shaky.
—Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
In explaining the rationale for the deal, Musk said in the statement that the least expensive way to do AI computations within two to three years will be in space.
—Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rationale
Cite this Entry
“Rationale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rationale. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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rationale
noun
