explained; explaining; explains
1
a
: to make known
explain the secret of your success
b
: to make plain or understandable
footnotes that explain the terms
2
: to give the reason for or cause of
unable to explain his strange conduct
3
: to show the logical development or relationships of
explained the new theory
: to make something plain or understandable
a report that suggests rather than explains
Synonyms
Examples of explain in a Sentence
I need a lawyer to explain this contract to me.
The professor explained the poem to the class.
She explained how the machine worked.
I explained to them that I would be available by phone.
Scientists could not explain the strange lights in the sky.
I don't know how to explain the dog's strange behavior.
We asked him to explain his reasons to us.
Can you explain why no one was informed earlier?
That explains why we were so far behind schedule.
Give me a chance to explain.
Recent Examples on the Web
All of the school’s parents, regardless of their background, faced similar issues: the fear of a wider war and the challenge of how to explain what was happening to their children.
—
Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
While some of the local IP has found global success, the focus is resolutely regional and to keep building that audience, Singh explains.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Apr. 2024
Grit by Angela Duckworth Drawing on her career as a psychologist, Duckworth uses science and experience to explain why grit—a blend of perseverance and passion—determines success more than talent or luck.
—Mia Barzilay Freund, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2024
Did anyone explain to you the difference between the Performer category (which includes Cher, Mary J. Blige, Dave Matthews, and others) and the one for Musical Excellence?
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2024
But there was, to hear deputy managing editor Sam Dolnick explain, something missing.
—Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Apr. 2024
This fearful posture explains why the CCP now casts economic development and national security as priorities of equal importance—a position that would make former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping turn over in his grave given the overwhelming priority Deng put on growth and development.
—Evan S. Medeiros, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
When asked about London’s middle name, Marilyn, the proud mother was happy to explain the inspiration.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 23 Apr. 2024
Shakir says Sanders is now urging Biden to lay out a second-term progressive agenda, and that Sanders has a frank pitch for Biden moving forward: Acknowledge problems and explain how they're being addressed.
—Elena Moore, NPR, 12 Apr. 2024
Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
While some of the local IP has found global success, the focus is resolutely regional and to keep building that audience, Singh explains.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Apr. 2024
Grit by Angela Duckworth Drawing on her career as a psychologist, Duckworth uses science and experience to explain why grit—a blend of perseverance and passion—determines success more than talent or luck.
—Mia Barzilay Freund, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2024
Did anyone explain to you the difference between the Performer category (which includes Cher, Mary J. Blige, Dave Matthews, and others) and the one for Musical Excellence?
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2024
But there was, to hear deputy managing editor Sam Dolnick explain, something missing.
—Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Apr. 2024
This fearful posture explains why the CCP now casts economic development and national security as priorities of equal importance—a position that would make former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping turn over in his grave given the overwhelming priority Deng put on growth and development.
—Evan S. Medeiros, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
When asked about London’s middle name, Marilyn, the proud mother was happy to explain the inspiration.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 23 Apr. 2024
Shakir says Sanders is now urging Biden to lay out a second-term progressive agenda, and that Sanders has a frank pitch for Biden moving forward: Acknowledge problems and explain how they're being addressed.
—Elena Moore, NPR, 12 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'explain.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near explain
Cite this Entry
“Explain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explain. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
explain
verb
ex·plain
ik-ˈsplān 
1
: to make plain or understandable
2
: to give the reason for or cause of
explainer
noun
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