reasoning Definition

reason
noun

1. A justification or motive for an action, belief, etc.

Thesaurus: motive, purpose, intention, rationale, idea, design, aim, end.
2. An underlying explanation or cause.

Thesaurus: cause, excuse, rationalization, alibi, explanation, defence, apologia.
3. The power of the mind to think, form opinions and judgements, reach logical conclusions, etc.

Thesaurus: reasoning, logic, cognition, thought, intellection, ratiocination, conceptualization, cogitation.
4. Sanity; sound mind.

Example: lose your reason

verb

intr
reasoned, reasoning
1. To use one's mind to form opinions and judgements, reach logical conclusions, deduce, etc.

Thesaurus: think, contemplate, deliberate, cogitate, reflect, analyse, conclude, deduce, infer, syllogize.

Idiom: by reason of something

Because of it; as a consequence of it.

Idiom: for reasons best known to oneself

For reasons which do not seem obvious or sensible to others.

Idiom: it stands to reason

It is obvious or logical.

Idiom: listen to reason

To be persuaded to act in a reasonable or sensible way.

Idiom: within reason

In moderation; within the limits of what is sensible or possible.

Etymology: 13c: from French reisun, from Latin ratio reckoning, from reri, ratus to think.

Phrasal Verb: reason someone into or out of something

To persuade or influence them with argument.

Phrasal Verb: reason something out

To think it through or set it out logically.

Phrasal Verb: reason with someone

To try to persuade them by means of reasonable or sensible argument.

Info:

Expressions like the reason ... , the reason why ... , one reason (why) ... , etc, are followed by that or because. Some more prescriptively minded people prefer that; but because is at least as common &wbox; &wbox;

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reasoning
noun

1. The forming of judgements or opinions using reason or careful argument.

Thesaurus: thought, logic, analysis, cogitation, deliberation; argument, explication, exposition.
2. The act or process of deducing logically from evidence.
3. The opinions or judgements formed, or deductions made, in this way.