motivation

noun

mo·​ti·​va·​tion ˌmō-tə-ˈvā-shən 

1

a

: the act or process of motivating

Some students need motivation to help them through school.

b

: the condition of being motivated

employees who lack motivation

2

: a motivating force, stimulus, or influence : incentive, drive

the Old Testament heroes added religious motivation to the waging of war

—Richard Humble

The fear of failure was the motivation for his achievements.

motivational

ˌmō-tə-ˈvā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

motivationally adverb

Synonyms

• boost
• encouragement
• goad
• impetus
• impulse
• incentive
• incitation
• incitement
• instigation
• momentum
• provocation
• spur
• stimulant
• stimulus
• yeast

Examples of motivation in a Sentence

Some students need motivation to help them through school.

Many people have questioned her motivations in choosing to run for office at this time.

Recent Examples on the Web

Advertisement Who the 80-year-old really is, and what his motivations were, would boil down to whose depiction the jury believed: that of the prosecution or the defense. —Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2024

Decorate with Dopamine Trending searches on Pinterest suggest summer 2024 is about inducing joy, motivation, and drive. —Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 May 2024

But consumers don’t feel much motivation to open their wallets. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 31 May 2024

This neurological activation prompts the release of dopamine, the 'feel-good' neurotransmitter, enhancing mood, increasing motivation, and sharpening attention. —Anna Nordseth, Discover Magazine, 22 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

motivation

noun

mo·​ti·​va·​tion ˌmōt-ə-ˈvā-shən 

1

a

: the act or process of motivating

b

: the condition of being motivated

2

: a motivating force or influence : incentive

Medical Definition

motivation

noun

mo·​ti·​va·​tion ˌmōt-ə-ˈvā-shən 

1

a

: the act or process of motivating

b

: the condition of being motivated

2

: a motivating force, stimulus, or influence (as a drive or incentive)

lacks the motivation to lose weight

motivational

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective

motivationally

-ē 

adverb