interpretation
noun
in·ter·pre·ta·tion
in-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-shən 
-pə-
1
: the act or the result of interpreting : explanation
2
: a particular adaptation or version of a work, method, or style
3
: a teaching technique that combines factual with stimulating explanatory information
natural history interpretation program
interpretatively
adverb
interpretively
adverb
Examples of interpretation in a Sentence
a literal interpretation of the law
The truth will only be found by careful interpretation of the evidence.
His remarks need further interpretation.
an actor's interpretation of the role of Hamlet
Recent Examples on the Web
There is probably truth in both the need story and opportunity story (which is my interpretation of Culbertson’s remarks).
—
Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
The dog's startled reaction delighted Instagram users, who filled the comments with interpretations of the scene.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
His comments reflected a belief increasingly popular among evangelicals that the Founding Fathers intended to make the U.S. a Christian nation, an interpretation that historians have dismissed as contrary to the First Amendment.
—Bayliss Wagner, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Beyond these, there are different interpretations of what has or hasn’t happened and what still might happen.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for interpretation
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Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
The dog's startled reaction delighted Instagram users, who filled the comments with interpretations of the scene.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
His comments reflected a belief increasingly popular among evangelicals that the Founding Fathers intended to make the U.S. a Christian nation, an interpretation that historians have dismissed as contrary to the First Amendment.
—Bayliss Wagner, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Beyond these, there are different interpretations of what has or hasn’t happened and what still might happen.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for interpretation
Cite this Entry
“Interpretation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interpretation. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
interpretation
noun
in·ter·pre·ta·tion
in-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-shən
1
: the act or the result of interpreting : explanation
2
: an instance of artistic interpretation in performance or adaptation
interpretatively
adverb
Medical Definition
interpretation
noun
in·ter·pre·ta·tion
in-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-shən, -pə-
: the act or result of giving an explanation of something
interpretation of the symptoms of disease
especially
: an explanation in understandable terms to a patient in psychotherapy of the deeper meaning according to psychological theory of the material related and the behavior exhibited by the patient during treatment
Legal Definition
interpretation
noun
in·ter·pre·ta·tion
in-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-shən
: the act or result of interpreting compare construction
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