reason
n. C / Un. the fact or event that explains why something happens or why someone does something. You use it to give a cause for an action.
n. a cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event. Often used to denote the logical basis for a conclusion or belief.
The main reason for the delay was the heavy rain.
She gave her boss a good reason for being late to the morning meeting.
Philosophers often distinguish between the cause of a physical event and the reason for a human action, suggesting that the latter implies a level of conscious intent.
From Middle English resoun, reson, from Anglo-Norman raisun (Old French raison), from Latin ratiō, from ratus, past participle of reor (“reckon”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European h₂reh₁- (“to think”), reanalysed root of h₂er- (“to put together”). Displaced native Middle English reden (found in compounds), from Old English rǣden (“condition, stipulation, calculation, direction”), from the same Proto-Indo-European source (compare West Frisian reden (“reason”), Dutch reden (“reason”)). Doublet of ration and ratio.
From Middle English reason, reson, resen, rasen, from Old English ræsn (“beam, rafter, ceiling, wall panel”), probably from Proto-West Germanic raʀn (“house”), from Proto-Germanic razną (“house, dwelling”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁erh₁- (“to rest”).
Often followed by the preposition 'for' or a 'that' clause. When used to mean the human power of logic, it is typically uncountable.
the reason because I am latethe reason why I am lateLearners often use 'because' after 'reason', but 'why' or 'that' is the correct relative adverb to introduce the explanation.