(BrE also rationalise) verb
1 to find or try to find a logical reason to explain why sb thinks, behaves, etc. in a way that is difficult to understand:
[VN] an attempt to rationalize his violent behaviour [also V]
2 (BrE) to make changes to a business, system, etc. in order to make it more efficient, especially by spending less money:
[VN] Twenty workers lost their jobs when the department was rationalized. [also V]
rationalization, rationalisation noun [U,C]:
No amount of rationalization could justify his actions. * a need for rationalization of the industry
