reasoning

The word “reasoning” means the process of thinking through something logically to reach a conclusion. In plain terms, the line of logical thought that leads someone to a conclusion or decision.

“Reasoning” is pronounced REE-zuh-nihng (/ˈɹiːzənɪŋ/ in IPA).

Here is “reasoning” used in a sentence: “His reasoning behind the decision made perfect sense once he explained it.”

“Reasoning” is a noun.

“Reasoning” is a fairly common word in modern English.

Logic is the formal system of rules that determines which conclusions validly follow from which premises, while reasoning is the actual mental process of thinking something through to reach a conclusion. Reasoning can follow logic strictly, but everyday reasoning is often looser, mixing evidence, experience, and judgement.

Deductive reasoning starts from general premises and draws a conclusion that must be true if those premises are true, as in a mathematical proof. Inductive reasoning moves from specific observations to a broader conclusion that is likely but not guaranteed. Both are ways of thinking through something logically to reach a conclusion.

Reasoning is normally uncountable: you say "her reasoning was sound," not "a reasoning." The plural form "reasonings" is rare in modern English and mostly confined to older or academic writing.

Frequent pairings include "line of reasoning," "the reasoning behind" a decision, and adjectives such as sound, flawed, logical, and circular reasoning. "Faulty reasoning" describes an argument whose steps do not actually support its conclusion.