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

If the church isn't true to what ought to be part of its core message, don't be surprised if other people come along and fill in the gaps from their own motivations. —Belinda Luscombe, Time, 10 Nov. 2025

Of those, 13 were listed as having domestic violence as the primary motivation. —Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 10 Nov. 2025

Interestingly, the researchers found that where money was offered as a reward intrinsic motivation tended to decrease. —Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025

So, yes, there will be some extra motivation entering Monday and Wednesday’s matchups against the Cavaliers after the way last season ended for the Heat. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2025

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