raison d'être UK /ˌɹeɪzɒ̃ ˈdɛtɹə/US /ˌɹeɪzɑn ˈdɛtɹə/ noun1 •A reason for being; the claimed reason for the existence of something or someone; the sole or ultimate purpose of something or someone.Surfing became his raison d’être. formsraison d'êtres · raisons d'etre · raisons d'être