Rationale
noun /ˌræʃ.əˈnɑːl/ — The underlying reason or logic for something
Definition
The fundamental reasons or logical basis for a course of action or belief — the reasoning that explains why something is done or believed, stated explicitly.
Beyond the definition
The reason behind the reason. A rationale is what you offer when someone asks why — not just the immediate justification but the principle underneath it.
Origin & history
From Latin 'rationalis' (reasonable) — from 'ratio' (reason, calculation). Related to 'rational', 'reason', and 'ratio'. The account given of one's reasoning.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The rationale for the policy was clear — what was less clear was whether the policy would achieve it.
She presented the rationale before the decision, not after — an unusual choice that made disagreement easier.
A rationale is not the same as a justification: a justification defends what was done; a rationale explains why it was done before it happens.
Synonyms
reasoning, basis, logic, justification, grounds
Antonyms
irrationality, whim, caprice
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Reviewing Model in Meeting
Team leaders review a structural model at a table, explaining the logical basis of their decision through shared gestures and diagrams.
The discussion of the model allows them to explain their explicit reasoning, providing a visual example of a rationale—the logical basis for their course of action.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration