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

At times, the ideological beliefs of some militants were mixed with financial opportunism, a motivation shared also by some politicians and military officers. —Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026

Normally, this sort of news could be the motivation the Federal Reserve needs to stabilize the job market via interest rate cuts. —Matt Richardson, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026

Higher levels of curiosity have been found to both increase people’s motivation to learn and reduce their desire to distant themselves from people with different views. —Eranda Jayawickreme, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026

For years, Lendeborg had the innate talent to perform at a high level, but lacked the motivation. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026

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