explanation
n. C / Un. the details or reasons someone gives to make something clear or easy to understand. You use this when you want to know why something happened.
n. a statement or account that makes something clear or provides a reason for an occurrence. Often used to clarify complex concepts or justify actions.
The teacher gave a clear explanation of the math problem.
The manager asked for a written explanation after the employee arrived two hours late for the meeting.
While the initial data seemed contradictory, the lead scientist provided a comprehensive explanation that accounted for the anomalies observed during the trial phase.
From Latin explanatio (“an explanation, interpretation”), from explanare (“explain”); see explain. Morphologically explain + -ation. Displaced native Old English racu.
Countable when referring to a specific statement; uncountable when referring to the general act of explaining.
he gave an explanation about whyhe gave an explanation of whyWhile 'about' is sometimes used informally, 'explanation of' is the standard collocation for the subject being explained.