raison d'être

noun rai·son d'être \ˌrā-ˌzōⁿ-ˈdetr^ə\

: 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

rai·son d'être also rai·son d'etre \ˌrā-ˌzōⁿ-ˈdetr^ə\

French

First Known Use: 1864

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