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
When the World Cup arrives in June, Costa and his Portugal team-mates will need no motivation.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
Port Commissioner Dan Malcolm, Imperial Beach’s appointee to the Port of San Diego Board of Commissioners, pointed to the city’s demographics as motivation for the project.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
Analyses of brain tissue found the cingulate cortex, an area that’s responsible for attention, motivation and cognitive engagement, is thicker in SuperAgers compared with people in their 50s and 60s.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 25 Feb. 2026
Getting back to Chicago and wearing the Hawks logo adds motivation to his game.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for motivation
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Jack Lang, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
Port Commissioner Dan Malcolm, Imperial Beach’s appointee to the Port of San Diego Board of Commissioners, pointed to the city’s demographics as motivation for the project.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
Analyses of brain tissue found the cingulate cortex, an area that’s responsible for attention, motivation and cognitive engagement, is thicker in SuperAgers compared with people in their 50s and 60s.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 25 Feb. 2026
Getting back to Chicago and wearing the Hawks logo adds motivation to his game.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 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 26 Feb. 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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