Origin: Latin suffix -tion
Interpretation has 5 different meanings across 1 category:
a mental representation of the meaning or significance of something
"Her unique interpretation of the poem's final stanza revealed a hidden layer of sorrow that others had completely missed."
the act of interpreting something as expressed in an artistic performance
"her rendition of Milton's verse was extraordinarily moving"
an explanation that results from interpreting something
"the report included his interpretation of the forensic evidence"
an explanation of something that is not immediately obvious
"the edict was subject to many interpretations"
"he annoyed us with his interpreting of parables"
"often imitations are extended to provide a more accurate rendition of the child's intended meaning"
An act of interpreting or explaining something unclear; a translation; a version.
"The director's unique interpretation of the classic novel surprised everyone who expected a more traditional adaptation."
In plain English: Interpretation is your own understanding of what something means based on how you see it.
"The artist's painting had many interpretations, but most people agreed it showed hope."
Usage: Use "interpretation" to describe a specific explanation, translation, or unique version of something that requires understanding. It refers to the act of making sense of unclear information or presenting a distinct perspective on an existing work.
The word comes from the Middle English interpretacioun, which was borrowed from Old French and originally derived from a Latin verb meaning "to explain or understand." While its root components suggest an action of explaining, it entered English as a noun referring to the act of interpreting something.