noun
1. the cognitive process of making something seem consistent with or based on reason (Freq. 1)
• Syn: ↑rationalisation
• Derivationally related forms: ↑rationalise (for: ↑rationalisation), ↑rationalize
• Hypernyms: ↑explanation
• Hyponyms: ↑raison d'etre
2. (psychiatry) a defense mechanism by which your true motivation is concealed by explaining your actions and feelings in a way that is not threatening
• Syn: ↑rationalisation
• Topics: ↑psychiatry, ↑psychopathology, ↑psychological medicine
• Hypernyms: ↑defense mechanism, ↑defense reaction, ↑defence mechanism, ↑defence reaction, ↑defense, ↑defence
3. (mathematics) the simplification of an expression or equation by eliminating radicals without changing the value of the expression or the roots of the equation
• Syn: ↑rationalisation
• Derivationally related forms: ↑rationalise (for: ↑rationalisation), ↑rationalize
• Topics: ↑mathematics, ↑math, ↑maths
• Hypernyms: ↑simplification
4. the organization of a business according to scientific principles of management in order to increase efficiency
• Syn: ↑rationalisation
• Derivationally related forms: ↑rationalise (for: ↑rationalisation), ↑rationalize
• Hypernyms: ↑organization, ↑organisation
5. systematic organization; the act of organizing something according to a system or a rationale
• Syn: ↑systematization, ↑systematisation, ↑rationalisation
• Derivationally related forms: ↑rationalise (for: ↑rationalisation), ↑rationalize, ↑systematise (for: ↑systematisation), ↑systematize (for: ↑systematization)
• Hypernyms: ↑organization, ↑organisation
• Hyponyms: ↑codification, ↑formalization, ↑formalisation
Useful english dictionary. 2012.