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
During an appearance on Good Morning America on Monday, Jackson delved into his and director Alexandria Stapleton's motivation for creating the four-part documentary about Combs' September 2024 arrest and his October 2025 conviction.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Dec. 2025
Photograph by Matthew Hatcher / Getty By 2011, when Giffords was shot by Jared Loughner, a mentally ill twenty-two-year-old with no apparent political motivation, the first hints of this new era were beginning to emerge.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
Therein lies the source of her motivation even now.
—John Meyer, Denver Post, 1 Dec. 2025
For Julia, the motivation was just as profound.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motivation
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Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Dec. 2025
Photograph by Matthew Hatcher / Getty By 2011, when Giffords was shot by Jared Loughner, a mentally ill twenty-two-year-old with no apparent political motivation, the first hints of this new era were beginning to emerge.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
Therein lies the source of her motivation even now.
—John Meyer, Denver Post, 1 Dec. 2025
For Julia, the motivation was just as profound.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 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 3 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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