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

b

: the condition of being eager to act or work : the condition of being motivated

had the motivation to succeed

employees who lack motivation

2

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

an economic motivation

Their behavior seemed to be without motivation.

Many people questioned his motivations to run for office.

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

—Richard Humble

motivational

ˌmō-tə-ˈvā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

motivationally adverb

Synonyms of motivation

• incentive
• impetus
• encouragement
• stimulus

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

But Pessiglione suspects that psychological factors, such as motivations and beliefs, also play a key role. — Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 4 Nov. 2026

With 40 percent of its revenue generated by returning customers, Braquet said this focus was the logical next step and the motivation in their ongoing first funding round. — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2026

The pull typically breaks down into several overlapping motivations. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2026

That’s the motivation for even being on the show in the first place, is [to] represent them well. — Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for motivation

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

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