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

The more likely explanation is that first observations in 2008 showcased the early results of a spectacular crash involving smaller, rocky components of early planetary development called planetesimals. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 18 Dec. 2025

Guides go through the company's history (the founder made his first float on the back of a mule cart in 1932) and give detailed explanations of how pieces are made. —Npr Staff, NPR, 18 Dec. 2025

The soundbyte was quickly transferred to TikTok and became a global phenomenon, with Gen Alpha shouting the numbers and gesturing up and down with their hands, without explanation. —Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2025

Noor said that once he was released from the Whipple Federal Building at Fort Snelling, where ICE operates from, he was given no documentation or explanation for why he was arrested in the first place. —Conor Wight, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2025

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