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
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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.
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
But it doesn’t get very thoroughly explored in Kermani’s screenplay, which teases with occult aspects that become red herrings, then doesn’t provide the alternative rationale of quasi-religious hysteria much definition, either.
—
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 July 2025
Presumably, at least some of the rationale for pulling back the memo stemmed from its inconsistency with the Impoundment Control Act, part of a 1974 law stipulating U.S. budgeting procedures.
—Doug Criscitello, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
By Emily Bazelon and Mattathias Schwartz Trump’s claim that Venezuelan criminals took over Aurora, Colorado, became a rationale for his immigration crackdown.
—Mattathias Schwartz Ted Conover M.h. Miller Lulu Garcia-Navarro Jake Nevins Simon Wu Kwame Anthony Appiah Kwame Anthony Appiah Eric Kim John Hodgman, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Hegseth's office declined to provide USA TODAY with the secretary's rationale for changing his mind about Donnelly.
—Davis Winkie, USA Today, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationale
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Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 July 2025
Presumably, at least some of the rationale for pulling back the memo stemmed from its inconsistency with the Impoundment Control Act, part of a 1974 law stipulating U.S. budgeting procedures.
—Doug Criscitello, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
By Emily Bazelon and Mattathias Schwartz Trump’s claim that Venezuelan criminals took over Aurora, Colorado, became a rationale for his immigration crackdown.
—Mattathias Schwartz Ted Conover M.h. Miller Lulu Garcia-Navarro Jake Nevins Simon Wu Kwame Anthony Appiah Kwame Anthony Appiah Eric Kim John Hodgman, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Hegseth's office declined to provide USA TODAY with the secretary's rationale for changing his mind about Donnelly.
—Davis Winkie, USA Today, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationale
Cite this Entry
“Rationale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rationale. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rationale
noun
ra·tio·nale
ˌrash-ə-ˈnal
: a basic reason or explanation for something
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