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
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
This process mimics how the human brain learns through reward and motivation, suggesting a possible biological pathway for training living processors more efficiently.
—
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
Over-exploiters become stuck in a rut, lacking motivation, and get bored.
—Big Think, 20 Oct. 2025
Protest-goers told the Idaho Statesman about a variety of motivations for showing up, mostly covering civil liberties — rights for immigrants, women and transgender people — and Trump’s authoritarian actions.
—Idaho Statesman, 19 Oct. 2025
Perhaps more important will be the exploration of the location's past and Robert House's initial motivations.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motivation
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Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
Over-exploiters become stuck in a rut, lacking motivation, and get bored.
—Big Think, 20 Oct. 2025
Protest-goers told the Idaho Statesman about a variety of motivations for showing up, mostly covering civil liberties — rights for immigrants, women and transgender people — and Trump’s authoritarian actions.
—Idaho Statesman, 19 Oct. 2025
Perhaps more important will be the exploration of the location's past and Robert House's initial motivations.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 19 Oct. 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 21 Oct. 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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