justification

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the act of defending or explaining or making excuses for by reasoning

   The justification of barbarous means by holy ends is unacceptable to this administration.

2. 2
   noun

   something, such as a fact or circumstance, that shows an action to be reasonable or necessary

   They considered misrule a justification for revolution.

3. 3
   noun

   a statement in explanation of some action or belief

   They gave no justification in response to our questions.

4. 4
   noun

   A reason, explanation, or excuse which someone believes provides convincing, morally acceptable support for behavior or for a belief or occurrence.

   The growing use of social media to spread anger and dissent in the Arab world has been hailed by western governments as one of the chief justifications for a completely unfettered internet. The US is reportedly funding the secret rollout of technology in Iran in an effort to undermine internet censors in the country.

5. 5
   noun

   The forgiveness of sin.

   […] to articulate a common understanding of our justification by God’s grace through faith in Christ.

6. 6
   noun

   The alignment of text to the left margin (left justification), the right margin (right justification), or both margins (full justification).

Etymology

From Middle English justificacioun, justification, from Middle French justification, from Late Latin iustificationem, justificationem < iustificatio, from iustifico, from Latin iustus.