motivation
noun
mo·ti·va·tion
ˌmō-tə-ˈvā-shən 
1
a
: the act or process of giving someone a reason for doing something : the act or process of motivating someone
Some students need motivation to help them through school.
… a loyal domestic audience, which gives publishers little motivation to innovate or change.—
The Economist
The Economist
b
: the condition of being eager to act or work : the condition of being motivated
had the motivation to succeed
employees who lack motivation
motivationally
adverb
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
His motivation stems from a down year in interceptions.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 16 June 2026
When the quartet collides in the film’s climactic fight, each has his own motivation and a reason to feel white-hot, incandescent rage.
—Andy Crump, IndieWire, 15 June 2026
The new season offers a bunch of new faces, because what the show needed was new characters, with James Norton the best of the lot as Ormund Hightower, an ally to the Alicent/Aemond/Aegon power junta whose own motivations are only slowly revealing themselves.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 15 June 2026
But the platform’s political motivations aren’t always clear to voters.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivation
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Alec Lewis, New York Times, 16 June 2026
When the quartet collides in the film’s climactic fight, each has his own motivation and a reason to feel white-hot, incandescent rage.
—Andy Crump, IndieWire, 15 June 2026
The new season offers a bunch of new faces, because what the show needed was new characters, with James Norton the best of the lot as Ormund Hightower, an ally to the Alicent/Aemond/Aegon power junta whose own motivations are only slowly revealing themselves.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 15 June 2026
But the platform’s political motivations aren’t always clear to voters.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivation
Cite this Entry
“Motivation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motivation. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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