explanation

noun

ex·​pla·​na·​tion ˌek-splə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce explanation (audio)
1
: the act or process of explaining
2
: something that explains
gave no explanation

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Exaggerated achievements or vague explanations about past roles are warning signs. Abdo Riani, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025 The economists run through various explanations for the productivity surge and then knock down most of them. Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 18 Mar. 2025 Legal experts are divided on whether this is in bounds, but rather than keep the fight in the courts, Trump pals seem more than eager to throw multiple explanations into the ether to see which seems to gain the most traction. Philip Elliott, TIME, 17 Mar. 2025 Here’s a look at what happened this month: 'That's a lie': Judge berates explanation for laying offs U.S. District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco Thursday delivered one of the most far-reaching court defeats in the administration's efforts to gut the federal bureaucracy. Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for explanation

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of explanation was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Explanation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explanation. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

explanation

noun
ex·​pla·​na·​tion ˌek-splə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce explanation (audio)
1
: the act or process of explaining
2
: a statement that makes something clear

More from Merriam-Webster on explanation

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