justification

noun | \ ˌjəs-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən \ | jus·ti·fi·ca·tion

1. : the act or an instance of justifying

2. : something that justifies; specifically : a legally sufficient reason or cause (as self-defense) for an act that would otherwise be criminal or tortious : a legally sufficient reason or cause (as self-defense) for an act that would otherwise be criminal or tortious

3. : the affirmative defense of having a legally sufficient justification — compare excuse