reason

1 /'ri:zFn/ noun

1 CAUSE (C) the cause or explanation for something that has happened or that someone has done: The reason I bought one was that it was so cheap. | reason (that): The only reason I went was that I wanted to meet your friends. | reason why: We'd like to know the reason why she didn't accept the job.

(+ for): I can see no reason for their behaviour. | give a reason (=explain): She just left without giving any reason. | for personal/health etc reasons: She wants to change her job for purely personal reasons. | for reasons of: The main tower has been closed for reasons of safety. | by reason of formal: He was found not guilty by reason of insanity. | for some reason especially spoken (=for a reason that you do not know or cannot understand): They've decided to change all our job titles, for some reason. | have your reasons spoken (=have a secret reason for doing something): “Why did you tell him?” “Oh, I had my reasons.” | for reasons best known to yourself (=for reasons that other people do not understand): For reasons best known to herself, she's sold the house and left the country. —see excuse 2

2 GOOD OR FAIR REASON (U) a fact that makes it right or fair for someone to do something: reason to do sth: I have no reason to believe that Grant's death was not an accident. | There is no reason to panic. | have every reason to do sth (=have very good reasons for doing something): Under the circumstances we had every reason to be suspicious. | be no reason to do sth: I know I'm late, but that's no reason to shout at me. | with (good) reason (=not stupidly or unnecessarily): Natalie was alarmed by the news, and with reason.

3 all the more reason to do sth spoken used to say that what has just been mentioned is an additional reason for doing what you have suggested: “She's going on holiday soon.” “All the more reason to ask her today.”

4 GOOD JUDGMENT sensible judgment and understanding: There's reason in what he says. | listen to reason (=be persuaded by someone's sensible advice): We keep telling her why it won't work, but she just won't listen to reason. | see reason (=accept advice and make a sensible decision): They tried to make him see reason.

5 within reason within sensible limits: You can go anywhere you want, within reason.

6 go/be beyond all reason to be more than is acceptable or reasonable: Their demands go beyond all reason.

7 ABILITY TO THINK (U) the ability to think, understand and form judgments that are based on facts: The power of reason separates us from other animals. | lose your reason old-fashioned (=become mentally ill)

8 no reason spoken used when someone asks you why you are doing something and you do not want to tell them: “Why d'you want to go that way?” “Oh, no reason.”

—see also: without rhyme or reason rhyme 1 (4), it stands to reason stand 1 (40) USAGE NOTE: REASON WORD CHOICE: cause, reason, purpose A cause is anything that produces a result, often not a person: the causes of inflation | the cause of the accident A reason explains something, often after it has happened or been done: There was no reason for the attack. | There are several reasons why the plan won't work. | Give me one good reason. A purpose is what you hope to achieve by something you do, and is intentional: Their purpose is to attract attention to environmental issues. GRAMMAR Reason is often followed by for, that, or why: What's the reason for all this noise? (NOT the reason of or to)| the reason that/why he left (NOT the reason because/how he left...). It is also possible to leave out that: the reason he left The nature of a reason is usually described in a that clause: The reason for the party was that it was Sue's birthday. In spoken English you may also hear because used, though this is considered to be incorrect by many speakers: The reason for the party is because it's Sue's birthday. Purpose is often followed by of or in: The purpose of the trip/of my coming is to see the President (NOT The purpose why I'm coming.).| My purpose in coming is to see the President (NOT of/for coming ...). People usually say For this reason/purpose ... (NOT from/because of this reason ..., in/on this purpose or for this cause). 2 verb

1 (T) to form a particular judgment about a situation after carefully considering the facts: reason (that): We reasoned that the terrorists would not negotiate unless we made some concessions.

2 (I) to think and make judgements: the ability to reason

reason sth out phrasal verb (T) to find an explanation or solution to a problem, by thinking of all the possibilities: Let's reason this out instead of quarrelling. reason with sb phrasal verb (T) to talk to someone in order to try to persuade them to be more sensible: I tried to reason with her but she locked herself in the bathroom, crying.