explanation

3 definitions • 7 examples

the details or reasons that someone gives to make something clear or easy to understand:

explanation of This is a good explanation of the difference between "affect" and "effect".

give someone an explanation Could you give me a quick explanation of how it works?

explanation for What was her explanation for why she was late?

[ + that ] The judge didn't believe his explanation that he had stolen the money in order to give it to charity.

by way of explanation He said, by way of explanation, that he hadn't seen the traffic light change to red.

the details or other information that someone gives to make something clear or easy to understand:

[ C ] She gave a detailed explanation of the administration’s health-care proposal.

An explanation is also a reason or an excuse for doing something:

[ C ] He had no explanation for his absence the day before.