explanation

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˌɛkspləˈneɪʃən/
• SAMPA: /%Ekspl@"neIS@n/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• Hyphenation: ex‧pla‧na‧tion

Noun

Singular explanation

Plural explanations

1. (countable) An explanation is the words used to tell somebody how to do something or the reason for something.

   The explanation was long and drawn-out.

2. (countable) An explanation is the cause of something.

   The explanation for his bad mood was a lack of sleep.

Synonyms

• account
• reason

Related words

• explain