/ ˌekspləˈneɪʃn; NAmE / noun
1.
[ C , U ] explanation (for sth / for doing sth) a statement, fact, or situation that tells you why sth happened; a reason given for sth :
The most likely explanation is that his plane was delayed.
to offer / provide an explanation
I can't think of any possible explanation for his absence.
She left the room abruptly without explanation .
'I had to see you,' he said, by way of explanation.
She didn't give an adequate explanation for being late.
The book opens with an explanation of why some drugs are banned.
an explanation as to why he had left early
2.
[ C ] a statement or piece of writing that tells you how sth works or makes sth easier to understand :
For a full explanation of how the machine works, turn to page 5.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin explanatio(n-) , from the verb explanare , based on planus plain.