reason

noun (EXPLANATION)

/ˈriː.zən/

Definition

A2 [C or U] the cause of an event or situation or something that provides an excuse or explanation: The reason for the disaster was engine failure, not human error. [+ question word] The reason why grass is green was a mystery to the little boy. [+ (that)] The reason (that) I'm ringing is to ask a favour.not standard The reason I walked out was because I was bored. [+ to infinitive] The police have (every good) reason to believe that he is guilty. She was furious, and with reason (= with good cause). For some reason/For reasons best known to himself (= for reasons no one else knows about) he's decided to leave his job.Motives and reasonsReasons and explanations by reason of formal › because of: He's always asked to these occasions by reason of his position.Connecting words which introduce a cause or reason

(Definition of reason noun (EXPLANATION) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)