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
While an earlier district court decision found the Texas map likely discriminated against Black and Hispanic Texans by diluting their voting power, Supreme Court justices sided with the defendants by ruling that the districts were drawn with partisan motivations, which is legally allowed.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 8 Dec. 2025
Nearly half, or 47% of the more than 2,000 respondents, said unaffordable essentials and price increases tied to tariffs (46%) are the main motivations for stealing.
—Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 8 Dec. 2025
The clip, which made the rounds on social media back in August, showed Gunn and Corenswet in the midst of an impassioned discussion about Superman's motivation while facing off against his nemesis in the movie, Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult).
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Dec. 2025
The country also maintains a massive militia, whose motivation would depend on loyalty to Maduro.
—Solly Boussidan , Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motivation
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Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 8 Dec. 2025
Nearly half, or 47% of the more than 2,000 respondents, said unaffordable essentials and price increases tied to tariffs (46%) are the main motivations for stealing.
—Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 8 Dec. 2025
The clip, which made the rounds on social media back in August, showed Gunn and Corenswet in the midst of an impassioned discussion about Superman's motivation while facing off against his nemesis in the movie, Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult).
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Dec. 2025
The country also maintains a massive militia, whose motivation would depend on loyalty to Maduro.
—Solly Boussidan , Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motivation
Cite this Entry
“Motivation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motivation. Accessed 10 Dec. 2025.
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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