justification

noun

1. A reason, explanation, or excuse which someone believes provides convincing, morally acceptable support for behavior or for a belief or occurrence.

2. christianityThe forgiveness of sin.

3. typographyThe alignment of text to the left margin (left justification), the right margin (right justification), or both margins (full justification).

4. Something (such as a fact or circumstance) that shows an action to be reasonable or necessary

   “he considered misrule a justification for revolution”

5. A statement in explanation of some action or belief

6. The act of defending or explaining or making excuses for by reasoning

   “the justification of barbarous means by holy ends”