# narration

/nɛˈɹeɪʃən/ (US) · /nɐɹˈeɪʃən/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/narration
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

the act of telling a story or describing a series of events. It can be the spoken words in a movie or the way a writer tells a tale in a book.

For teachers: the act or process of telling a story or recounting a sequence of events. Often refers specifically to the spoken commentary accompanying a film, broadcast, or performance.

## Examples

- The documentary features clear narration by a famous actor.
- The author uses first-person narration to make the reader feel closer to the main character's thoughts.
- While the visual effects were stunning, the film's disjointed narration made it difficult for the audience to follow the complex historical timeline.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the general act of storytelling; countable when referring to a specific instance or style of telling.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.