explained; explaining; explains
1
a
: to make known
explain the secret of your success
b
: to make plain or understandable
footnotes that explain the terms
2
: to give the reason for or cause of
unable to explain his strange conduct
3
: to show the logical development or relationships of
explained the new theory
: to make something plain or understandable
a report that suggests rather than explains
Examples of explain in a Sentence
I need a lawyer to explain this contract to me.
The professor explained the poem to the class.
She explained how the machine worked.
I explained to them that I would be available by phone.
Scientists could not explain the strange lights in the sky.
I don't know how to explain the dog's strange behavior.
We asked him to explain his reasons to us.
Can you explain why no one was informed earlier?
That explains why we were so far behind schedule.
Give me a chance to explain.
Recent Examples on the Web
Immediately after the tribute, Jonas Brothers appeared on stage, with an announcer explaining that the performance was dedicated to those living with cancer.
—
Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Hu explained that the coral’s skeleton comprises millions of calcium carbonate particles called sclerites.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025
The defeat or retirement of some conservative Democrats explain some of the shift, but not all of it.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Asking your doctor to explain your initial diagnosis will give you insight into the chances of recurrence.
—Marnie Goodfriend, Flow Space, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explain
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Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Hu explained that the coral’s skeleton comprises millions of calcium carbonate particles called sclerites.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025
The defeat or retirement of some conservative Democrats explain some of the shift, but not all of it.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Asking your doctor to explain your initial diagnosis will give you insight into the chances of recurrence.
—Marnie Goodfriend, Flow Space, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explain
Cite this Entry
“Explain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explain. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
explain
verb
ex·plain
ik-ˈsplān 
1
: to make plain or understandable
2
: to give the reason for or cause of
explainer
noun
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