interpretation
noun
in·ter·pre·ta·tion
in-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-shən 
-pə-
1
: the act or the result of interpreting : explanation
2
: a particular adaptation or version of a work, method, or style
3
: a teaching technique that combines factual with stimulating explanatory information
natural history interpretation program
interpretatively
adverb
interpretively
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of interpretation in a Sentence
a literal interpretation of the law
The truth will only be found by careful interpretation of the evidence.
His remarks need further interpretation.
an actor's interpretation of the role of Hamlet
Recent Examples on the Web
His works include a large-scale interpretation of New Zealand's native Weta bug along the first fairway and a series of oversized dragonflies with six-foot wingspans adorning a lake by the sixth fairway.
—
Erik Matuszewski, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Of course, these are far-afield interpretations of Kris Kringle chic.
—Gráinne O'Hara Belluomo, WWD, 23 Dec. 2024
For all Eggers’s dramatization of unreason, his images sit heavily onscreen awaiting something more significant than mere admiration—interpretation.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
The claims making the rounds on social media are not based on new scientific findings but are instead a distorted interpretation of older research.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for interpretation 
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Erik Matuszewski, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Of course, these are far-afield interpretations of Kris Kringle chic.
—Gráinne O'Hara Belluomo, WWD, 23 Dec. 2024
For all Eggers’s dramatization of unreason, his images sit heavily onscreen awaiting something more significant than mere admiration—interpretation.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
The claims making the rounds on social media are not based on new scientific findings but are instead a distorted interpretation of older research.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for interpretation
Dictionary Entries Near interpretation
Cite this Entry
“Interpretation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interpretation. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
interpretation
noun
in·ter·pre·ta·tion
in-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-shən
1
: the act or the result of interpreting : explanation
2
: an instance of artistic interpretation in performance or adaptation
interpretatively
adverb
Medical Definition
interpretation
noun
in·ter·pre·ta·tion
in-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-shən, -pə-
: the act or result of giving an explanation of something
interpretation of the symptoms of disease
especially
: an explanation in understandable terms to a patient in psychotherapy of the deeper meaning according to psychological theory of the material related and the behavior exhibited by the patient during treatment
Legal Definition
interpretation
noun
in·ter·pre·ta·tion
in-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-shən
: the act or result of interpreting compare construction
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