narration

/nɛrˈeɪʃɪn/

/nəˈreɪʃən/

Other forms: narrations

Narration is the act of telling a story, usually in some kind of chronological order. Making up a scary ghost story and relating it around a camp fire is an act of narration.

Narration generally means any kind of explaining or telling of something. It is usually used in reference to storytelling. If you've ever watched a television show where one character's voice talks directly to the audience, then you've heard narration. You will often find narration happening in songs where the singer is telling the story of how something happened — like the day he lost his guitar, his truck, his wife, and started singing the blues.

Definitions of narration
  1. noun
    the act of giving an account describing incidents or a course of events
    “his narration was hesitant”
    synonyms: recital, yarn
    see moresee less
    types:
    recounting, relation, telling
    an act of narration
    type of:
    account, report
    the act of informing by verbal report
  2. noun
    a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
    synonyms: narrative, story, tale
    see moresee less
    examples:
    Canterbury Tales
    an uncompleted series of tales written after 1387 by Geoffrey Chaucer
    Arabian Nights' Entertainment
    a collection of folktales in Arabic dating from the 10th century
    types:
    show 6 types...
    hide 6 types...
    tearjerker
    an excessively sentimental narrative
    tall tale
    an improbable (unusual or incredible or fanciful) story
    folk tale, folktale
    a tale circulated by word of mouth among the common folk
    sob story, sob stuff
    a sentimental story (or drama) of personal distress; designed to arouse sympathy
    fairy story, fairy tale, fairytale
    a story about fairies; told to amuse children
    nursery rhyme
    a tale in rhymed verse for children
    type of:
    content, message, subject matter, substance
    what a communication that is about something is about
  3. noun
    (rhetoric) the second section of an oration in which the facts are set forth
    see moresee less
    type of:
    section, subdivision
    a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)
Pronunciation
US

/nɛrˈeɪʃɪn/
UK

/nəˈreɪʃən/
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘narration'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family

Vocabulary lists containing narration

Expository Writing, List 2

Expository writing is writing that presents the reader with important research and information about a topic. This list of vocabulary can help expose you to the key terms that provide the basis for good expository writing. Here are links to our lists in the collection: List 1, List 2

Narrative Writing, List 2

Narrative writing is writing that has a story, character, conflict, and other essential parts of a story. Learn about all of these essential parts by reviewing this list of vocabulary that will help you navigate a narrative. Here are links to our lists in the collection: List 1, List 2, List 3, List 4

Theme

Have you got the write stuff? Find out by learning this comprehensive list of words related to writing. Here are links to our lists for the collection: Grammar, Reference, Drafting, Text Structure, Purpose, Argumentative Writing, Theme, Genre, Poetry, Plot Development, Literary Devices

MORE VOCABULARY LISTS
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