Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun The fundamental reasons for something; the basis.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The rational basis or motive of something; that which accounts for or explains the existence of something; reason for being.
  • noun A rational explanation or statement of reasons; an argumentative or theoretical account; a reasoned exposition.
  • noun Same as rational, 2.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun An explanation or exposition of the principles of some opinion, action, hypothesis, phenomenon, or the like; also, the principles themselves.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun an explanation of the basis or fundamental reasons for something
  • noun a justification or rationalization for something
  • noun a liturgical vestment worn by Christian bishops of various denominations

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun (law) an explanation of the fundamental reasons (especially an explanation of the working of some device in terms of laws of nature)

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Late Latin ratiōnāle, from neuter of Latin ratiōnālis, rational; see rational.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Around 1650-1650 from the Late Latin ratiōnāle, the neuter form of ratiōnālis ("rational, possessing reason").

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Examples

  • He says his main rationale is that it provides justice for the victim's family.

    Life or Death Decision 2003

  • He says his main rationale is that it provides justice for the victim's family.

    Life or Death Decision 2003

  • Surely, 'Laughably' would be more apt given the report's rationale (I use the term rationale loosely).

    First Read Domenico Montanaro 2010

  • Surely, 'Laughably' would be more apt given the report's rationale (I use the term rationale loosely).

    First Read Domenico Montanaro 2010

  • Of these, the first three have more or less been OK moving to Santa Monica (well, at least the rationale is there).

    Archive 2005-07-01 Ben Barren 2005

  • Of these, the first three have more or less been OK moving to Santa Monica (well, at least the rationale is there).

    Yahoo go Hollywood + Compton Drive-By Ben Barren 2005

  • The rationale is that renters become home buyers when it makes economic sense to own rather than rent.

    Renting in Ajijic 2009

  • It is just another rationale from the Party of NO! for doing nothing.

    GOP lawmakers seek to halt immigration reform push 2010

  • My rationale is as follows - there are lots of grain fields in this area so deer can get fat.

    The Best Big Buck "Sleeper States" 2009

  • To develop so strong a brand on so conspicuously threadbare a rationale is hugely creative – revolutionary even.

    2009 January 26 | NIGEL BEALE NOTA BENE BOOKS 2009

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