( BrE also ra·tion·al·ise ) / ˈræʃnəlaɪz; NAmE / verb
1.
to find or try to find a logical reason to explain why sb thinks, behaves, etc. in a way that is difficult to understand :
[ vn ]
an attempt to rationalize his violent behaviour
[also v ]
2.
( BrE ) to make changes to a business, system, etc. in order to make it more efficient, especially by spending less money :
[ vn ]
Twenty workers lost their jobs when the department was rationalized.
[also v ] ➡ note at cut
► ra·tion·al·iza·tion , ra·tion·al·isa·tion / ˌræʃnəlaɪˈzeɪʃn; NAmE -ləˈz-/ noun [ U , C ]:
No amount of rationalization could justify his actions.
a need for rationalization of the industry