rationale
noun
ra·tio·nale
ˌra-shə-ˈnal 
1
: an explanation of controlling principles of opinion, belief, practice, or phenomena
2
: an underlying reason : basis
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Rationale comes from Latin ratio, meaning "reason," and rationalis, "endowed with reason." Ratio is reasonably familiar as an English word for the relationship (in number, quantity, or degree) between things.
Synonyms
Examples of rationale in a Sentence
the rationale for starting the school day an hour later is that kids will supposedly get an extra hour of sleep
Recent Examples on the Web
In a Facebook post on Sept. 22, Schenke tried to explain his rationale.
—
Noe Padilla, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024
The council members are available to offer feedback on day-to-day activities of the agency and to help explain to the public some of the rationale behind more complex efforts Game and Fish is undertaking.
—Arkansas Game and Fish, arkansasonline.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Three days later, the high court outlined its rationale with its 61-page ruling in Bush v. Gore.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024
The loser would need to identify a viable rationale for a court to vacate the arbitration decision.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rationale 
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Noe Padilla, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024
The council members are available to offer feedback on day-to-day activities of the agency and to help explain to the public some of the rationale behind more complex efforts Game and Fish is undertaking.
—Arkansas Game and Fish, arkansasonline.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Three days later, the high court outlined its rationale with its 61-page ruling in Bush v. Gore.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024
The loser would need to identify a viable rationale for a court to vacate the arbitration decision.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rationale
Dictionary Entries Near rationale
Cite this Entry
“Rationale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rationale. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rationale
noun
ra·tio·nale
ˌrash-ə-ˈnal
: a basic reason or explanation for something
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