- the act or process of interpreting or explaining; elucidation
- the result of interpreting; an explanation
- a particular view of an artistic work, esp as expressed by stylistic individuality in its performance
- explanation, as of the environment, a historical site, etc, provided by the use of original objects, personal experience, visual display material, etc
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
in•ter•pre•ta•tion /ɪnˌtɜrprɪˈteɪʃən/USA pronunciation
n.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- the act of interpreting;
the result or product of interpreting;
explanation: [uncountable]The message's meaning is open to interpretation.[countable]many different interpretations of his speech. - an adaptation or version of a creative work or style:[countable]a modern designer's interpretation of Renaissance clothing.
in•ter•pre•ta•tion
(in tûr′pri tā′shən),USA pronunciation n.
in•ter′pre•ta′tion•al, adj.
- the act of interpreting;
elucidation;
explication:This writer's work demands interpretation. - an explanation of the meaning of another's artistic or creative work;
an elucidation:an interpretation of a poem. - a conception of another's behavior:a charitable interpretation of his tactlessness.
- a way of interpreting.
- the rendering of a dramatic part, music, etc., so as to bring out the meaning, or to indicate one's particular conception of it.
- oral translation.
- Latin interpretātiōn- (stem of interpretātiō). See interpret, -ation
- Middle English 1250–1300
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
interpretation /ɪnˌtɜːprɪˈteɪʃən/ n