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

Still, children reported a more positive experience throughout the tasks, indicating higher self-efficacy, motivation, enjoyment and self-appraisal. — Dharma Niles, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2026

Aside from his recent breakup and pending milestone of a birthday, we’re given little to go on to understand his internal motivations and growth throughout the show. — Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026

The Horned Frogs will have plenty of motivation to snap the program’s losing streak against K-State and take one step closer to bowl eligibility with a win on Saturday. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Nov. 2026

Further motivation for the countries to unify was the discovery of oil and natural gas in both countries at roughly the same time and in roughly the same geographic region (from Maʾrib to Shabwah). — Manfred W. Wenner, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Nov. 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