To narrate means to tell a story or describe events as they happen or happened. When you narrate, you're acting as the storyteller, guiding your audience through what's taking place.

You might narrate a funny incident from recess to your family at dinner, explaining who did what and when. Documentary films often have someone narrating in the background, describing what viewers are seeing on screen and explaining why it matters. Audiobooks feature a narrator who reads the entire book aloud, sometimes using different voices for different characters.

Narration can happen in real time or after the fact. Sports announcers narrate games as they unfold, calling out every play and reaction. But you might also narrate a story about something that happened last summer, taking your listeners through the sequence of events.

The person doing the narrating is called a narrator. In novels, the narrator might be a character in the story (like Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird) or an outside voice that knows everything about everyone. A good narrator doesn't just list facts; they help you understand what's happening and why it matters, building the story in a way that keeps you interested and helps you follow along.