Origin: Latin suffix -tion
Justification has 4 different meanings across 1 category:
something (such as a fact or circumstance) that shows an action to be reasonable or necessary
"he considered misrule a justification for revolution"
a statement in explanation of some action or belief
"The manager provided a justification for the new policy by explaining that it was necessary to improve safety standards."
the act of defending or explaining or making excuses for by reasoning
"the justification of barbarous means by holy ends"
A reason, explanation, or excuse which provides convincing, morally acceptable support for behavior or for a belief or occurrence.
"The lawyer presented a detailed justification for his client's actions that satisfied the jury's moral concerns."
In plain English: Justification is giving a good reason for why you did something.
"The teacher asked for justification before changing the exam schedule again."
Usage: Use justification to describe the valid reasons that make an action seem right or necessary rather than wrong. Avoid confusing it with mere excuses, as justifications must provide moral or logical support for what was done.
The word "justification" entered English through the Middle French language in its current form of proving something to be right or lawful. It ultimately traces back to the Late Latin root iustificare, which combined the idea of being just with a verb meaning to make or declare so.