interpretation

UK: /ɪnˌtɜː^rprɪˈteɪʃ^ən/

US: /ɪnˌtɝprɪˈteɪʃən/

US: (in tûr′pri tā′shən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

in•ter•pre•ta•tion /ɪnˌtɜrprɪˈteɪʃən/   n. 

1. 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.
2. an adaptation or version of a creative work or style:
   [countable] a modern designer's interpretation of Renaissance clothing.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

in•ter•pre•ta•tion  (in tûr′pri tā′shən), n. 

1. the act of interpreting;
   elucidation;
   explication:
   This writer's work demands interpretation.
2. an explanation of the meaning of another's artistic or creative work;
   an elucidation:
   an interpretation of a poem.
3. a conception of another's behavior:
   a charitable interpretation of his tactlessness.
4. a way of interpreting.
5. the rendering of a dramatic part, music, etc., so as to bring out the meaning, or to indicate one's particular conception of it.
6. oral translation.

• Latin interpretātiōn- (stem of interpretātiō). See interpret, -ation
• Middle English 1250–1300

in•ter′pre•ta′tion•al, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

interpretation / ɪnˌtɜːprɪˈteɪʃən/ noun

1. the act or process of interpreting or explaining; elucidation
2. the result of interpreting; an explanation
3. a particular view of an artistic work, esp as expressed by stylistic individuality in its performance
4. explanation, as of the environment, a historical site, etc, provided by the use of original objects, personal experience, visual display material, etc

inˌterpreˈtational adjective