noun · 10 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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UK:/ˌræʃ(ə)n(ə)laɪˈzeɪʃn̩/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
US:/ˌræʃənəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/
CMU ARPABET:R AE2 SH AH0 N AH0 L IH0 Z EY1 SH AH0 N
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
CMU ARPABET 2:R AE2 SH N AH0 L IH0 Z EY1 SH AH0 N
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
The process or result of rationalizing, or expressing in rational terms.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: archaic, countable, uncountable
Examples
Some rationalization of the language of his lectures is, of course, necessary.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
A statement of one's motives, or of the causes of some event.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
Her self-flagellating rationalization for the theft was mostly ignored by the jury.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: rationale, reasoning
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
The reorganization of a company or organization in order to improve its efficiency through the reallocation of resources and changes in its workforce.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Topics: economics, sciences
Examples
It began with the familiar political motives of civil service rationalization and downsizing.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: consolidation
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
The concealment of true motivation in some non-threatening way.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
the organization of a business according to scientific principles of management in order to increase efficiency
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: rationalisation
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: organization, organisation
8
noun
Meaning 8
(mathematics) the simplification of an expression or equation by eliminating radicals without changing the value of the expression or the roots of the equation
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: rationalisation
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: simplification
9
noun
Meaning 9
the cognitive process of making something seem consistent with or based on reason
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: rationalisation
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: explanation
Narrower terms: raison d'etre
10
noun
Meaning 10
(psychiatry) a defense mechanism by which your true motivation is concealed by explaining your actions and feelings in a way that is not threatening
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.