rationality
noun
ra·tio·nal·i·ty
ˌra-shə-ˈna-lə-tē 
plural rationalities
1
: the quality or state of being rational
2
: the quality or state of being agreeable to reason : reasonableness
3
: a rational opinion, belief, or practice
—usually used in plural
Examples of rationality in a Sentence
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As the physician and philosopher Jodi Halpern has pointed out, Osler believed that a doctor should aspire to be an island of calm in stormy seas, mastering her own unruly emotions with the force of rationality.
—
Rachel Pearson, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
With over 32,000 requests to create new Turning Point chapters around the country, much of the nation has already decided that Charlie Kirk's civility, rationality, and commitment to reason are their values—and American values.
—Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
These categories were not simply seen as opposite, but in a hierarchy with objectivity and rationality as superior.
—Sara Giordano, The Conversation, 4 Sep. 2025
Our findings raise many interesting questions about rationality and ethics.
—Thomas Talhelm, Scientific American, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationality
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Rachel Pearson, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
With over 32,000 requests to create new Turning Point chapters around the country, much of the nation has already decided that Charlie Kirk's civility, rationality, and commitment to reason are their values—and American values.
—Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
These categories were not simply seen as opposite, but in a hierarchy with objectivity and rationality as superior.
—Sara Giordano, The Conversation, 4 Sep. 2025
Our findings raise many interesting questions about rationality and ethics.
—Thomas Talhelm, Scientific American, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationality
Cite this Entry
“Rationality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rationality. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rationality
noun
ra·tio·nal·i·ty
ˌrash-ə-ˈnal-ət-ē
: the quality or state of being rational
Medical Definition
rationality
noun
ra·tio·nal·i·ty
ˌrash-ə-ˈnal-ət-ē
plural rationalities
1
: the quality or state of being rational
2
: the quality or state of being agreeable to reason
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