motivation

noun

mo·ti·va·tion | \ ˌmō-tə-ˈvā-shən

Definition of motivation

1a : 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.

Other Words from motivation Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about motivation

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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 great workout gear might not be a cure-all to get you into the gym, a good pair of workout leggings can bump your motivation. — Shanon Maglente, Good Housekeeping, "These $11 Leggings Have More Than 7,000 5-Star Reviews on Amazon," 11 Mar. 2019 Many would ask Jeff Shi what his motivation was for buying a football team in middle England. — SI.com, "How Jeff Shi and Fosun International Transformed Wolverhampton Wanderers Into a Premier League Side," 12 July 2018 But prosecutors say his motivation was financial, according to NJ.com. — Crystal Hill, miamiherald, "A police officer was making drug arrests — and making money, New Jersey authorities say," 3 July 2018 Their motivation is down, their physical fitness is down, and — wait, why is this stranger playing Junkchain? — Kathryn Lindsay, refinery29.com, "R29 Binge Club: Glow Season 2, Episodes 1-10," 29 June 2018 The impetus was two-fold, the elder Kelenic said, explaining his original motivation just days after Jarred's first-round selection on June 4 and subsequent signing by the New York Mets. — Jim Riccioli, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Jarred Kelenic's success partly relied on training at Waukesha facilities built by his dad, who hopes he can help more athletes," 13 June 2018 Teen Vogue: What was the motivation for taking the island? — Delilah Friedler, Teen Vogue, "Activist LaNada War Jack of the Bannock Nation Details Her Time Occupying Alcatraz," 21 Mar. 2019 My daily motivation: Every hot day is one step closer to a PSL. — Blake Bakkila, Good Housekeeping, "30 Best Summer Instagram Captions for All of Your Sun-Kissed Photos," 4 Mar. 2019 Whatever Adlon’s motivations, she’s created a character who has to care about a lot of things. — Chloe Schama, Vogue, "Pamela Adlon's Better Things Is Back and Better Than Ever," 27 Feb. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'motivation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.