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

Did you know?

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

• account
• accounting
• argument
• case
• explanation
• reason

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

Word History

Etymology

Latin, neuter of rationalis

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

rationale

noun

ra·​tio·​nale ˌrash-ə-ˈnal 

: a basic reason or explanation for something