jus·ti·fi·ca·tion 
(jŭs′tə-fĭ-kāshən)
(jŭs′tə-fĭ-kāshən)n.
1.
a. The act of justifying.
b. The condition or fact of being justified.
2. Something, such as a fact or circumstance, that justifies: considered misgovernment to be a justification for revolution. See Synonyms at apology.