explanation vs thought

explanation and thought both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
explanation	Yes	No	No	No
thought	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, thought is a hypernym of explanation; that is, thought is a word with a broader meaning than explanation:

Other hypernyms of explanation include cerebration, intellection, mentation, thinking, thought process.

explanation (noun)	thought (noun)
thought that makes something comprehensible	the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.	the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
the act of explaining; making something plain or intelligible	the organized beliefs of a period or group or individual
	a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty