motivation

noun

mo·​ti·​va·​tion ˌmō-tə-ˈvā-shən 

1

a

: 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.

motivational

ˌmō-tə-ˈvā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

motivationally adverb

Synonyms

• boost
• encouragement
• goad
• impetus
• impulse
• incentive
• incitation
• incitement
• instigation
• momentum
• provocation
• spur
• stimulant
• stimulus
• yeast

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

Musk’s motivations As the richest man in the world, Musk is far wealthier than most CEOs and, in many aspects of life, can operate entirely within his own set of rules. —Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2023

Max is doing an excellent job, of course, but this is extra motivation for us. —Corey Seymour, Vogue, 20 Nov. 2023

Whatever the motivation, female writers and showrunners stepped up in record numbers to serve as strike captains during the Writers Guild of America’s five-month contract battle. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 18 Nov. 2023

The motivation for this priority comes directly from our research findings: More severe ransomware attacks (i.e., the ones that force ambulance diversion and care cancellations) are more harmful to patients. —Hannah Neprash, STAT, 17 Nov. 2023

Another motivation is to be a role model for young girls who want to become scientists. —Swapna Krishna, WIRED, 17 Nov. 2023

As Kala’s following has grown, so have the questions around her motivations and methods. —Daysia Tolentino, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2023

The motivation for attending their wedding led many to create once-in-a-lifetime trips. —Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Nov. 2023

Private Capital Investors Remain Poised to Respond The challenging market, meritocratic investment mindset, and return-to-fundamentals business mentality appear to be motivations for VC investors. —Mark Flickinger, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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