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Showing results for raison d'etre. Search instead for draisinenbetrieb.
Definitions

raison d'etre

[rey-zohn de-truh, re-zawn de-truh] / ˈreɪ zoʊn ˈdɛ trə, rɛ zɔ̃ ˈdɛ trə /
NOUN
reason for being
Synonyms
WEAK
basis justification for existing rationale reason for existing reason why
raison d'être
NOUN
reason for being
Synonyms
WEAK
basis justification for existing rationale reason for existing reason why

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But, for smaller companies whose AI offerings are their raison d’être, there are pros and cons of the new era.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026

Not far away, at Pepa Bar a Vins, irreverence was the raison d’être.

From Salon • Dec. 6, 2025

Fundamentally, the format's raison d'être is now under question.

From BBC • Jul. 18, 2025

Instead of a unified empire, the smaller kingdoms of the Heptarchy still dominate, their various dangerous machinations providing the raison d’être for the differing orders.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 8, 2025

The rules of this association are here given in extenso, and sufficiently explain the raison d’être.

From Boating by Woodgate, W. B.