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
Those scarring years as a scholar and apprentice at Norwich are part of the motivation behind Mitchell’s new venture, Edge Futures.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
The initiative appeals primarily to Texas’ arch-conservative Republican base and boosts Speaker Burrows’ standing with that constituency, suggesting the primary motivation is political positioning rather than substantive policy development.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Its characters all have their own motivations, some stranger than others (all of which keep things mighty interesting), but as Season 5 progresses, there’s a clear delineation between people who make choices with intention and people who make choices on impulse.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 8 Apr. 2026
But some of his past guests were more honest about their motivations.
—CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivation
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Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
The initiative appeals primarily to Texas’ arch-conservative Republican base and boosts Speaker Burrows’ standing with that constituency, suggesting the primary motivation is political positioning rather than substantive policy development.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Its characters all have their own motivations, some stranger than others (all of which keep things mighty interesting), but as Season 5 progresses, there’s a clear delineation between people who make choices with intention and people who make choices on impulse.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 8 Apr. 2026
But some of his past guests were more honest about their motivations.
—CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivation
Cite this Entry
“Motivation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motivation. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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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