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  1. Dictionary
    rai·son d'ê·tre
    /ˌrāzôn ˈdetrə/

    noun

    • 1. the most important reason or purpose for someone or something's existence: "an institution whose raison d'être is public service broadcasting"

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  2. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › raison d'etreRaison d'etre - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

    In French, raison d'etre literally means "reason for being," and in English it means about the same. Someone's raison d'etre is the most important thing to them: Michael Jordan's raison d'etre was basketball. Beethoven's raison d'etre was music. A raison d'etre motivates a person; it's their purpose.

  3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › raison d'êtreRaison d'être Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

    Raison d'être is a French phrase that means reason or justification for existence. Learn how to use it in a sentence, its etymology, and related words from the Merriam-Webster dictionary.

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  5. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishMeaning of raison d'être in English - Cambridge Dictionary

    raison d'être. noun [ C usually singular ] uk / ˌrez.ɒ̃ ˈdet.rə / us / ˌreɪ.zɑːn ˈdet.rə / plural raisons d'être uk / ˌrez.ɒ̃ ˈdet.rə / us / ˌreɪ.zɑːn ˈdet.rə /. Add to word list. a reason for existence: Her job is her raison d'être. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases.

  6. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishDefinition of 'raison d'etre' - Collins Online Dictionary

    Raison d'être is a French phrase meaning the most important reason for existing in a certain way. Learn how to use it in sentences and see synonyms, pronunciation and word origin.

  7. en.wiktionary.org › wiki › raison_d'êtreraison d'être - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

    5 days ago · Raison d'être is a French phrase meaning "reason for being" or "the sole or ultimate purpose of something or someone". Learn how to pronounce, use and translate it in English, Dutch, Portuguese and Swedish.

  8. www.dictionary.com › browse › raison-d'etreRAISON D'ÊTRE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

    raison d'être. A basic, essential purpose; a reason to exist: “Professor Naylor argues that in the nuclear age, infantry forces have lost their raison d'être.”. From French, meaning “reason for being.”. Discover More.

  9. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › english › raison-d-etreraison d’être - Oxford Learner's Dictionaries

    /ˌreɪzɔːn ˈdetrə/ [singular] (from French) the most important reason for somebody’s/something’s existence. Work seems to be her sole raison d'être. Want to learn more? Check pronunciation: raison d’être. Definition of raison d’être noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary.