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.

Synonyms

• account
• accounting
• argument
• case
• explanation
• reason

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 sense of entitlement that comes with the tour circus can block the rationale of what is acceptable. —Tim Ellis, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024

Really, there is no moral rationale for celebrating your team’s win knowing that, somewhere, a child is crying as a result. —Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024

Gorsuch cited as his rationale the reasons given by several dissenting conservative members of a federal appeals court panel which had earlier weighed the case. —Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2024

The rationale for doing so is pretty straightforward. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, neuter of rationalis

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

rationale

noun

ra·​tio·​nale ˌrash-ə-ˈnal 

: a basic reason or explanation for something