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# justification

noun (a justification, justifications; justification for something)

«justification» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A justification is a good reason that shows something is right or fair. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/J/justification/#m1)
2. Justification is the act of explaining why something was right. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/J/justification/#m2)
3. (maths, school) A justification is the explanation of how you know an answer is correct. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/J/justification/#m3)
4. (computers, printing) Justification is lining up text so both edges of a column are straight. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/J/justification/#m4)

### In the lessons

In maths and science, "show your justification" means explain your reasoning, not just give the answer. In ethics lessons, pupils ask whether there is any justification for hitting back, lying or breaking a rule. Phrases: «no justification for», «there is some justification», «in justification», «give a justification».

### Examples

- There is no justification for bullying. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/J/justification/#x1)
- Write down your answer and a justification. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/J/justification/#x2)
- His justification was that he was protecting his little brother. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/J/justification/#x3)
- The teacher asked for a justification of each step. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/J/justification/#x4)
- Is there any justification for lying to a friend? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/J/justification/#x5)
- In justification, she said the bus was late. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/J/justification/#x6)
- Use full justification so both sides of the text are straight. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/J/justification/#x7)

### Note

Usually uncountable for the idea («without justification»), countable for a single reason («two justifications»). Verb: justify (justified, justifying); adjective: justified, justifiable. In maths tests, marks often go to the justification, not just the final number.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «justification» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/J/justification/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«justification» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/justification.html) on Mova free.