An interpretation of something is an opinion about what it means.
The government put a different interpretation on the figures.
Analysis and interpretation is a very personal thing.
Synonyms: explanation, meaning, reading, understanding More Synonyms of interpretation
2. countable noun
A performer's interpretation of something such as a piece of music or a role in a play is the particular way in which they choose to perform it.
...her full-bodied interpretation of the role of Micaela. [+ of]
Synonyms: performance, portrayal, presentation, rendering More Synonyms of interpretation
More Synonyms of interpretation
interpretation in British English
(ɪnˌtɜːprɪˈteɪʃən)
noun
1.
the act or process of interpreting or explaining; elucidation
2.
the result of interpreting; an explanation
3.
a particular view of an artistic work, esp as expressed by stylistic individuality in its performance
4.
explanation, as of the environment, a historical site, etc, provided by the use of original objects, personal experience, visual display material, etc
5. logic
an allocation of significance to the terms of a purely formal system, by specifying ranges for the variables, denotations for the individual constants, etc; a function from the formal language to such elements of a possible world
Derived forms
interpretational (inˌterpreˈtational)
adjective
interpretation in American English
(ɪnˌtɜrprəˈteɪʃən)
noun
1.
the act or result of interpreting; explanation, meaning, translation, exposition, etc.
2.
the expression of a person's conception of a work of art, subject, etc. through acting, playing, writing, criticizing, etc.
the pianist's interpretation of the sonata
Derived forms
interpretational (inˌterpreˈtational)
adjective
Word origin
ME interpretacioun < OFr entrepretation < L interpretatio
Examples of 'interpretation' in a sentence
interpretation
Two doctors hurling different interpretations of the same data at one another leaves none of us any the wiser.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
So the interpretation is perhaps different in England?
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The change itself admits of different interpretations.
Ramirez-Faria, Carlos The Origins of Economic Inequality between Nations: A critique of Western theorieson development and underdevelopment (1990)
Two dynamics are often overlooked in contemporary biblical interpretations.
Christianity Today (2000)
One of the defects was a defect of explanation or interpretation.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
There are no points for artistic interpretation.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Two influential interpretations in particular should be avoided.
Hindess, Barry Choice, Rationality, and Social Theory (1988)
What matters as much as the actual figures is the interpretation put on them.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The previous interpretation of the law was fairly easy to follow.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It must be an urgent and original interpretation of the world we live in today.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
People have different interpretations on both sides.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The first is the problem of biblical interpretation.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The economic interpretation of the law of supply and demand was not final.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Hard on the heels of the first maps were furious geological rows about the interpretation of particular features.
Richard Fortey THE EARTH: An Intimate History (2004)
They also form a challenge to the ingenuity of those who resent the limitation of personal judgement and interpretation that is involved.
Torrington, Derek Personnel Management: A New Approach (1991)
He's read up on previous interpretations of the role.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The scientific revolution also had its corrosive impact on a literal interpretation of the Bible.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Not all adaptations aim for such a fluid interpretation of their original: not all of them need to.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This painting plunges us into blocks of colour, and lets us get on with the task of working out our personal interpretations.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Yet the result of that blunt thought was the most striking interpretation of the role seen on the British stage in the past fifty years.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
He largely refused to offer explanations or interpretations of his films: when he did so, they were implausible.
The Times Literary Supplement (2014)
In other languages
interpretation
British English: interpretation NOUN
An interpretation of something is an opinion about what it means.
The Opposition put a different interpretation on the figures.