reason meaning and definition

REASON noun

Definition of reason (noun)

1. a rational motive for a belief or action
   • "the reason that war was declared"; "the grounds for their declaration"
   • synonyms: ground
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"
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"
   • synonyms: intellect, understanding
4. the state of having good sense and sound judgment
   • "his rationality may have been impaired"; "he had to rely less on reason than on rousing their emotions"
   • synonyms: rationality, reasonableness
5. a justification for something existing or happening
   • "he had no cause to complain"; "they had good reason to rejoice"
   • synonyms: cause, grounds
6. a fact that logically justifies some premise or conclusion
   • "there is reason to believe he is lying"

REASON verb

Definition of reason (verb)

1. decide by reasoning; draw or come to a conclusion
   • "We reasoned that it was cheaper to rent than to buy a house"
   • synonyms: conclude, reason out
2. present reasons and arguments
   • synonyms: argue
3. think logically
   • "The children must learn to reason"