rationale
noun
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If someone asserts that the word rationale refers to a ration of ale, they are wrong, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have an actual rationale (a reason, explanation, or basis) for such a claim. “Rationale looks like the words ration and ale jammed together,” they could offer, and while that is true you’d be justified in responding: “Appearances can be deceiving.” Rationale is a direct borrowing of the Latin word rationale, with which it shares the meaning “an explanation of controlling principles of opinion, belief, practice, or phenomena.” The Latin rationale comes from a form of the adjective rationalis (“rational”), which traces back to the noun ratio, meaning “reason.” While the Latin ratio is also the forebear of the English noun ration, referring to a share of something, rationale has nothing to do with a tankard (or stein, or even a pony) of beer.
Examples of rationale in a Sentence
Matthew Brown, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Hart described her rationale for starting up a local LifeWise program as coming from her own experience seeing behavioral issues as a substitute teacher.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Parenteau, the law professor who helped write the Endangered Species Act exemption process, said the administration’s rationale in this current case isweak from a legal standpoint.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
Fighting congestion Denver leaders’ rationale is that without major change, traffic congestion, already increasing faster than in other cities, will get worse.
—Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rationale
Cite this Entry
“Rationale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rationale. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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rationale
noun
