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.
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
Privacy advocates were not happy with the explanation, though, warning that the code is evidence that Anthropic is willing to cross lines to surveil users.
—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
6 July 2026
But in the fall of 2024, Madden discovered that a Northern Trust vice president who managed her estate assets told her that he was let go without explanation.
—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
6 July 2026
One possible explanation for CCOs is that their magnetic fields are too weak to produce detectable radio jets.
—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
6 July 2026
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens and majority owner Bill Chisholm addressed reporters for nearly 45 minutes Monday afternoon, offering their explanation for one of the most consequential trades in recent franchise history.
—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
6 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for explanation
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Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
6 July 2026
But in the fall of 2024, Madden discovered that a Northern Trust vice president who managed her estate assets told her that he was let go without explanation.
—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
6 July 2026
One possible explanation for CCOs is that their magnetic fields are too weak to produce detectable radio jets.
—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
6 July 2026
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens and majority owner Bill Chisholm addressed reporters for nearly 45 minutes Monday afternoon, offering their explanation for one of the most consequential trades in recent franchise history.
—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
6 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for explanation
Cite this Entry
“Explanation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explanation. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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
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