reason
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