explanation

noun

ex·​pla·​na·​tion ˌek-splə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: the act or process of explaining

declined without any explanation

The company offered little by way of explanation for the problems. [=as a way of explaining why there were problems]

2

: something that explains

The professor's explanation was that the poem was really a parody.

Synonyms of explanation

• interpretation
• illustration
• clarification

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

Neither Burnard and O’Shaughnessy nor Pearsall attempts a grand explanation of why thirteen American colonies ultimately sought independence while thirteen others didn’t. —Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 May 2026

Armed men abducted former Malian minister Mountaga Tall from his home without explanation or arrest warrant, his family said. —Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026

The court did not offer any explanation other than its order, which was also a 6-3 ruling. —Jack Fink, CBS News, 3 May 2026

But the summary lacks any kind of detailed explanation of which tests were run and under what conditions. —Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for explanation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids 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