Dictionary
raison d'être
noun rai·son d'être \ˌrā-ˌzōⁿ-ˈdetrə\
: the thing that is most important to someone or something : the reason for which a person or organization exists
plural rai·sons d'être also rai·sons d'etre \-ˌzōⁿz-\
Full Definition of RAISON D'ÊTRE
: reason or justification for existence
See raison d'être defined for English-language learners
Variants of RAISON D'ÊTRE
rai·son d'être also rai·son d'etre \ˌrā-ˌzōⁿ-ˈdetrə\
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Origin of RAISON D'ÊTRE
French
First Known Use: 1864
Rhymes with RAISON D'ÊTRE
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