rational explanation

collocation in English

meaningsofrationalandexplanation

These words are often used together. Click on the links below to explore the meanings. Or,see other collocations withexplanation.
rational
adjective
uk
/ˈræʃ.ən.əl/us
/ˈræʃ.ən.əl/
based on clear thought ...
See more atrational
explanation
noun[C or U]
uk
/ˌek.spləˈneɪ.ʃən/us
/ˌek.spləˈneɪ.ʃən/
the details or reasons that someone gives to make something clear or easy ...
See more atexplanation

(Definition ofrationalandexplanationfrom theCambridge English Dictionary© Cambridge University Press)

Examplesofrational explanation

These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
There is arationalexplanationfor the phenomenon of the 'economic miracle'.
From theCambridge English Corpus
This book is very interesting, clearly written, and organized; it challenges therationalexplanation of the conflict and provokes new thoughts and attitudes.
From theCambridge English Corpus
The point of the joke, nevertheless, is that humans, being rational, look for a fullyrationalexplanation.
From theCambridge English Corpus
Paradoxically, interest in the paranormal increased even as scientific methodology increasingly promisedrationalexplanationof the physical world.
From theCambridge English Corpus
In this field too, a deep controversy has opposed realists and instrumentalists as to the nature ofrationalexplanation.
From theCambridge English Corpus
The continent has slipped so far behind other developing regions in terms of development indicators that the yawning gap sometimes seems to defyrationalexplanation.
From theCambridge English Corpus
Again, the reversal of this view must require arationalexplanation.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I doubt whether there is arationalexplanationin international terms.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Norationalexplanationof this behaviour has been found.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
These people may well have a chequered record of errors of judgment for which the onlyrationalexplanationis a covert commitment to another cause.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
No proper orrationalexplanationhas been forthcoming for that decision.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
It is not a cop-out; it is arationalexplanationof the position that might arise in five or 10 years' time.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
This is a section where there is room for a littlerationalexplanation.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
There way be somerationalexplanationfor its nonappearance.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Over the years there has been a dreadful record of breakdown and delay, usually unaccompanied byrationalexplanationat the time.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
There does not appear to be arationalexplanationfor that figure.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
That is the onlyrationalexplanationfor the appearance of the words here.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I defy anyone to come up with arationalexplanationfor today's proceedings.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
Want to learn more?
Go to the definition ofrational
Go to the definition ofexplanation
See other collocations withexplanation