a reason, fact, circumstance, or explanation that justifies or defends

His insulting you was ample justification for you to leave the party.

an act of justifying

The painter's justification of his failure to finish on time didn't impress me.

the state of being justified.

Also called justification by faith. Theology . the act of God whereby humankind is made or accounted just, or free from guilt or penalty of sin.

Printing . the spacing of words and letters within a line of type so that all full lines in a column have even margins both on the left and on the right.

noun

absolution , account , acquittal , advocacy , answer , apologia , apology , approval , argument , basis , confirmation , defense , exculpation , exoneration , explanation , extenuation , grounds , idea , mitigation , palliation , palliative , plea , pretext , raison d’tre , rationale , rationalization , rebuttal , redemption , reply , response , salvation , sanctification , song and dance * , story , support , validation , vindication , warrant , whatfor , wherefore * , whitewashing , whole idea , why and wherefore , apologetic , reason , foundation , call , ground , necessity , occasion , wherefore , why , excuse , exuplpation , proof