reasoning

noun

rea·​son·​ing ˈrēz-niŋ 

ˈrē-zᵊn-iŋ

1

: the use of reason

especially : the drawing of inferences or conclusions through the use of reason

2

: an instance of the use of reason : argument

Synonyms of reasoning

• logic
• reason

Examples of reasoning in a Sentence

Could you explain your reasoning?

They told everyone the reasoning behind the decision.

a conclusion based on fallacious reasoning

Humans possess the power of reasoning.

Recent Examples on the Web

The new reasoning model not only leapfrogged the latest from ChatGPT juggernaut OpenAI, the still-private company driving so much of the massive AI spending out there, but was also trained entirely on Google's custom chips called tensor processing units (TPUs), co-designed by Broadcom . —Zev Fima, CNBC, 25 Nov. 2025

Google highlighted the model’s new Deep Think reasoning mode as a leapfrogging advance over previous Gemini and OpenAI releases, offering the technical community a tool that excels at both multimodal tasks and deeper logic challenges. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 25 Nov. 2025

The Alabama rule’s backers cite precisely this reasoning. —Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025

Fin Tutuola character has been less involved in season 27, and the rapper-actor has explained the reasoning behind his screen time being cut. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 25 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reasoning

• line of reasoning

Rhymes for reasoning

• seasoning

Kids Definition

reasoning

noun

rea·​son·​ing

1

: the use of reason

2

: the reasons used in and the proofs that result from thought : argument