explanation
noun
ex·pla·na·tion
ˌek-splə-ˈnā-shən 
1
: the act or process of explaining
2
: something that explains
gave no explanation
Synonyms
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
When the explanation comes from but one voice in a cacophony of them, being an authority on the subject tends to matter little.
—
Paul Fitzgerald, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2024
These are stigmatized explanations of why suicide happens and can discourage people with suicidal ideation from asking for help.
—Sarah Schuster, Health, 14 Apr. 2024
In Saturday’s attack, however, Iran telling offered no explanation for the seizure other than to say the MSC Aries had links to Israel.
—Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2024
Asked for an explanation, Wicker pointed toward the middle of the field.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2024
Savannah and Laura’s dishes, both using wild pistachio spice, looked and tasted beautiful, but their comfortable/uncomfortable duality theme went over the judges’ heads without a detailed explanation of their concept.
—Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2024
Still, surgical site infections occur following about 1 in 30 procedures, typically with no explanation.
—Chloe Bryson-Cahn, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2024
Some lawyers involved in the Dominion litigation doubted that was the full explanation.
—David Enrich, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Solar eclipses have long triggered fanciful explanations and warnings, from religious mythology to modern-day superstition.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 8 Apr. 2024
Paul Fitzgerald, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2024
These are stigmatized explanations of why suicide happens and can discourage people with suicidal ideation from asking for help.
—Sarah Schuster, Health, 14 Apr. 2024
In Saturday’s attack, however, Iran telling offered no explanation for the seizure other than to say the MSC Aries had links to Israel.
—Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2024
Asked for an explanation, Wicker pointed toward the middle of the field.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2024
Savannah and Laura’s dishes, both using wild pistachio spice, looked and tasted beautiful, but their comfortable/uncomfortable duality theme went over the judges’ heads without a detailed explanation of their concept.
—Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2024
Still, surgical site infections occur following about 1 in 30 procedures, typically with no explanation.
—Chloe Bryson-Cahn, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2024
Some lawyers involved in the Dominion litigation doubted that was the full explanation.
—David Enrich, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Solar eclipses have long triggered fanciful explanations and warnings, from religious mythology to modern-day superstition.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 8 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'explanation.' 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 explanation
Cite this Entry
“Explanation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explanation. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
explanation
noun
ex·pla·na·tion
ˌek-splə-ˈnā-shən
1
: the act or process of explaining
2
: a statement that makes something clear
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share