explanation

noun

ex·​pla·​na·​tion ˌek-splə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: the act or process of explaining

declined without any explanation

The company offered little by way of explanation for the problems. [=as a way of explaining why there were problems]

2

: something that explains

The professor's explanation was that the poem was really a parody.

Synonyms of explanation

• interpretation
• illustration
• clarification

Examples of explanation in a Sentence

The professor's explanation was that the poem is really a parody.

an explanation of photosynthesis that most museum visitors will be able to understand

Recent Examples on the Web

Randle offered a more useful explanation than simply demanding that everyone play harder. — C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026

Solutions were being published, often with little explanation or detail, relying on the good will and free labor of mathematicians to verify and illuminate them. — Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026

Consequently, saying that Earth simply cannot reproduce stellar pressure gives an incomplete explanation. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026

Hegseth has dismissed several generals and admirals, often without explanation. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 30 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for explanation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

explanation

noun

ex·​pla·​na·​tion ˌek-splə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: the act or process of explaining

2

: a statement that makes something clear