reason

(noun, verb)

noun

1. a rational motive for a belief or action

- the reason that war was declared

Similar word(s): ground

Definition categories: motive

2. an explanation of the cause of some phenomenon

- the reason a steady state was never reached was that the back pressure built up too slowly

Definition categories: communication, account, explanation

3. the capacity for rational thought or inference or discrimination

- we are told that man is endowed with reason and capable of distinguishing good from evil

Similar word(s): intellect, understanding

Definition categories: thought, faculty, module

4. the state of having good sense and sound judgment

- he had to rely less on reason than on rousing their emotions

Similar word(s): rationality, reasonableness

Definition categories: state, saneness, sanity

5. a justification for something existing or happening

- they had good reason to rejoice

Similar word(s): cause, grounds

Definition categories: communication, justification

6. a fact that logically justifies some premise or conclusion

- there is reason to believe he is lying

Definition categories: thought, fact

Sentences with reason as a noun:

- The reason this tree fell is that it had rotted.

- The reason I robbed the bank was that I needed the money.

- If you don't give me a reason to go with you, I won't.

- Mankind should develop reason above all other virtues.

verb

1. decide by reasoning; draw or come to a conclusion

- We reasoned that it was cheaper to rent than to buy a house

Similar word(s): conclude

Definition categories: cognition, cerebrate, cogitate, think

2. present reasons and arguments

Similar word(s): argue

Definition categories: communication, present, represent

3. think logically

- The children must learn to reason

Definition categories: cognition, cerebrate, cogitate, think

Sentences with reason as a verb:

- I reasoned the matter with my friend.

- to reason one into a belief; to reason one out of his plan

- to reason down a passion

- to reason out the causes of the librations of the moon