Meaning & Definition of Reason in English

1. A rational motive for a belief or action

• "The reason that war was declared"

• "The grounds for their declaration"

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"

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"

5. A justification for something existing or happening

• "He had no cause to complain"

• "They had good reason to rejoice"

6. A fact that logically justifies some premise or conclusion

• "There is reason to believe he is lying"

1. Decide by reasoning

• Draw or come to a conclusion

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

2. Present reasons and arguments

3. Think logically

• "The children must learn to reason"