Articulation is the act of expressing something clearly and precisely, whether through words or physical movement. When you articulate your thoughts about why recess should be longer, you organize your ideas and state them in a way others can understand: “Recess should be longer because students need time to run around and reset their minds before afternoon classes.”

Good articulation requires thinking through what you want to say and choosing words that convey your exact meaning. A lawyer must articulate her client's defense clearly so the jury understands it. A scientist articulates his research findings so other scientists can build on his work. When teachers ask you to “articulate your reasoning” on a math problem, they want you to explain your thinking step by step, not just write down an answer.

The word also describes how clearly someone pronounces words when speaking. An actor with excellent articulation makes every word crisp and understandable, even from the back row of a theater.

In anatomy and engineering, articulation refers to joints where things connect and move. Your elbow is an articulation between your upper and lower arm bones. A robot's articulated arm can bend and rotate at multiple joints, just like yours.