verb
explain
ik-SPLAYN/ɪkˈspleɪn/
To make something clear by describing it or giving reasons.
The adult explains how pressing the lever's long arm raises the block.
Etymology
The literal image is “flatten out” or “make level.” This became making something plain to the mind: explaining makes a subject understandable rather than physically flat.
In context
if you can explain something to a 5-year-old then theoretically anyone older than 5 years old should be able to understand it
More examples
- Can you explain why the lights went out?
- She explained the rules before we began.
- His note explains how to assemble the shelf.
Forms
explain · explains · explained · explaining
explanation noun — an account that makes something clear