rationale
noun
ra·tio·nale
ˌra-shə-ˈnal 
1
: an explanation of controlling principles of opinion, belief, practice, or phenomena
2
: an underlying reason : basis
Did you know?
Rationale comes from Latin ratio, meaning "reason," and rationalis, "endowed with reason." Ratio is reasonably familiar as an English word for the relationship (in number, quantity, or degree) between things.
Examples of rationale in a Sentence
the rationale for starting the school day an hour later is that kids will supposedly get an extra hour of sleep
Recent Examples on the Web
The rationale for the new positions needs to be made clear so that the board can effectively engage with the executive team.
—
Michael Peregrine, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
The liberal-majority court offered no rationale for declining to take the case.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
Those judges could decide whether the government’s rationale for detaining Mr. Khalil could be used in other cases.
—Mark Bonamo, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
The rationale for stripping you of your right to go after bad actors is usually the same: Businesses shouldn’t be bothered with frivolous lawsuits.
—Scott Maxwell, Orlando Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationale
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Michael Peregrine, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
The liberal-majority court offered no rationale for declining to take the case.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
Those judges could decide whether the government’s rationale for detaining Mr. Khalil could be used in other cases.
—Mark Bonamo, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
The rationale for stripping you of your right to go after bad actors is usually the same: Businesses shouldn’t be bothered with frivolous lawsuits.
—Scott Maxwell, Orlando Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationale
Cite this Entry
“Rationale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rationale. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rationale
noun
ra·tio·nale
ˌrash-ə-ˈnal
: a basic reason or explanation for something
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