Reasoning
noun /ˈriːzənɪŋ/ — The process of thinking things through — using logic and evidence to reach conclusions.
Definition
The action of thinking about something in a logical, sensible way; the forming of conclusions, judgments, or inferences from facts or premises.
Beyond the definition
Reasoning is the foundation of intellectual life — without it, we are at the mercy of what we happen to feel. Good reasoning is a discipline and a practice. The person who can reason well about a problem is more likely to arrive at a position they can defend and revise.
Origin & history
From Old French raison — reason (from Latin rationem: account, reason, from reri: to calculate). Calculating — reason as the accounting, the reckoning from evidence.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Her reasoning was transparent: she showed her work, and you could check it.
The reasoning seemed sound until you examined the premise — which was where it broke.
Good reasoning and good conclusions are related but not identical: you can reason well from a false premise.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Reasoning” when the meaning fits your context: The action of thinking about something in a logical, sensible way; the forming of conclusions, judgments, or inferences from facts or premises.
Synonyms
Antonyms
irrationality, intuition, impulse
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
Methodical Pursuit of Truth
An adult works at a table, carefully arranging interlocking wooden pieces into an ordered structure in bright, even light.
The meticulous, step-by-step arrangement of pieces reflects the action of reasoning. By thinking about how the pieces must fit together to create a stable, sensible structure, the adult demonstrates a methodical, logical approach to solving a problem through careful investigation.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Reasoning" mean?
Reasoning is noun meaning: The process of thinking things through — using logic and evidence to reach conclusions.. The action of thinking about something in a logical, sensible way; the forming of conclusions, judgments, or inferences from facts or premises.
Where does the word "Reasoning" come from?
From Old French raison — reason (from Latin rationem: account, reason, from reri: to calculate). Calculating — reason as the accounting, the reckoning from evidence.