Definition of "rationale" []

• Fundamental reasons; the basis. (noun)
• An exposition of principles or reasons. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "He says his main rationale is that it provides justice for the victim's family."
• "Surely, 'Laughably' would be more apt given the report's rationale (I use the term rationale loosely)."
• "Of these, the first three have more or less been OK moving to Santa Monica (well, at least the rationale is there)."