inspiration

noun

in·​spi·​ra·​tion ˌin(t)-spə-ˈrā-shən 

-(ˌ)spi-

1

: an inspiring agent or influence

Their courage is an inspiration to us all.

There's no telling which shows could serve as inspiration for the next game.

—Jennifer Leman

2

a

: the quality or state of being inspired

The designer often pulls inspiration through realms outside of fashion ranging from travel to just being outside in nature.

—Kerane Marcellus

b

: something that is inspired

Deciding to have the party outdoors was sheer inspiration.

3

: the act of drawing in

specifically : the drawing of air into the lungs

… ventilation of the lung and near-constant airflow during both inspiration and expiration …

—Patrick M. O'Connor et al.

4

a

: a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify that person to receive and communicate sacred revelation

b

: the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions

c

: the act of influencing or suggesting opinions

inspirational

ˌin(t)-spə-ˈrā-sh(ə-)nəl 

-(ˌ)spi-

adjective

inspirationally adverb

Did you know?

The Inspirational History of Inspiration

Inspiration has an unusual history in that its figurative sense appears to predate its literal one. It comes from the Latin inspiratus (the past participle of inspirare, “to breathe into, inspire”) and in English has had the meaning “the drawing of air into the lungs” since the middle of the 16th century. This breathing sense is still in common use among doctors, as is expiration (“the act or process of releasing air from the lungs”). However, before inspiration was used to refer to breath it had a distinctly theological meaning in English, referring to a divine influence upon a person, from a divine entity; this sense dates back to the early 14th century. The sense of inspiration often found today (“someone or something that inspires”) is considerably newer than either of these two senses, dating from the 19th century.

Examples of inspiration in a Sentence

Where does the inspiration for your art come from?

His paintings take their inspiration from nature.

She had a sudden inspiration. They would have the party outdoors!

Deciding to have the party outdoors was sheer inspiration.

Recent Examples on the Web

With so many celebrity looks for inspiration, adding these shoes to your summer wardrobe should be a no-brainer. —Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 26 May 2026

This Amazon best-selling book from Call It Home is not only gorgeous to display, but it’s also filled with more than 200 beautiful interiors that double as inspiration for your own space. —Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 25 May 2026

America’s 250th anniversary celebrations this summer provide the perfect inspiration to explore the country’s vast and diverse landscapes—from the original 13 colonies to the rugged wilderness of the West. —Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026

Pope Francis timed his 2015 encyclical on the environment to influence the Paris COP21 climate summit, with the text gaining traction both inside and outside the church as inspiration for sustainability initiatives. —Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 25 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

Phrases Containing inspiration

• divine inspiration

Rhymes for inspiration

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

inspiration

noun

in·​spi·​ra·​tion ˌin(t)-spə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the drawing of air into the lungs in breathing

2

a

: the act or power of moving the mind or the emotions

the inspiration of music

b

: the quality or state of being inspired

the artist's inspiration came from many sources

c

: something that is inspired

a scheme that was an inspiration

d

: someone or something that inspires

his wife was his greatest inspiration

inspirational

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

inspirationally

-ē

adverb

Medical Definition

inspiration

noun

in·​spi·​ra·​tion ˌin(t)-spə-ˈrā-shən, -(ˌ)spir-ˈā- 

: the drawing of air into the lungs