interpretation
noun
in·ter·pre·ta·tion
in-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-shən 
-pə-
1
: the act or the result of interpreting : explanation
2
: a particular adaptation or version of a work, method, or style
3
: a teaching technique that combines factual with stimulating explanatory information
natural history interpretation program
interpretatively
adverb
interpretively
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of interpretation in a Sentence
a literal interpretation of the law
The truth will only be found by careful interpretation of the evidence.
His remarks need further interpretation.
an actor's interpretation of the role of Hamlet
Recent Examples on the Web
But neither measure is binding: if Trump wins November’s presidential election, his Department of Justice could enforce a new, strict interpretation of the Comstock Act.
—
Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 12 Sep. 2024
That includes the league’s interpretation of its own rules and its policy of allowing some matches to be played during international windows.
—Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024
Also, the methods of interpretation (court systems) are created in the Constitution.
—Melanie Laughman, The Enquirer, 11 Sep. 2024
Elements of his interpretation have some explanatory power—the United States is losing its footing; declining growth and ballooning levels of income inequality are an enormous problem.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for interpretation 
Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 12 Sep. 2024
That includes the league’s interpretation of its own rules and its policy of allowing some matches to be played during international windows.
—Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024
Also, the methods of interpretation (court systems) are created in the Constitution.
—Melanie Laughman, The Enquirer, 11 Sep. 2024
Elements of his interpretation have some explanatory power—the United States is losing its footing; declining growth and ballooning levels of income inequality are an enormous problem.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for interpretation
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'interpretation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near interpretation
Cite this Entry
“Interpretation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interpretation. Accessed 19 Sep. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
interpretation
noun
in·ter·pre·ta·tion
in-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-shən
1
: the act or the result of interpreting : explanation
2
: an instance of artistic interpretation in performance or adaptation
interpretatively
adverb
Medical Definition
interpretation
noun
in·ter·pre·ta·tion
in-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-shən, -pə-
: the act or result of giving an explanation of something
interpretation of the symptoms of disease
especially
: an explanation in understandable terms to a patient in psychotherapy of the deeper meaning according to psychological theory of the material related and the behavior exhibited by the patient during treatment
Legal Definition
interpretation
noun
in·ter·pre·ta·tion
in-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-shən
: the act or result of interpreting compare construction
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