explanation

English

English Wikipedia has an article on:

explanation

Wikipedia

Alternative forms

• explaination (misspelling or obsolete spelling)

Etymology

From Latin explanatio (“an explanation, interpretation”), from explanare (“explain”); see explain. Morphologically explain +‎ -ation. Displaced native Old English racu.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌɛkspləˈneɪʃən/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -eɪʃən

Noun

explanation (countable and uncountable, plural explanations)

1. The act or process of explaining.

   The explanation was long and drawn-out.

2. Something that explains, makes understandable.

   An explanation for the UFO sightings was easily found.

3. A resolution of disputed points pursuant to discussion; a mutual clarification of disputed points; reconciliation.
   • 1815, Jane Austen, Emma, volume III, chapter 3:

     This little explanation with Mr. Knightley gave Emma considerable pleasure.

Synonyms

• (act or process of explaining): clarification; elucidation; elaboration; explaining; explication; femsplaining (pej., particularly by a feminist to a man); mansplaining, mansplanation (pej., particularly by a man to a woman)

Derived terms

Related terms

• explain
• explanatory
• explicative
• explicator
• explicatory

Translations

Further reading

• “explanation”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
• “explanation”, in The Century Dictionary , New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.