volition

noun

vo·li·tion vō-ˈli-shən

və-

Synonyms of volition next

: the power of choosing or determining : will

: an act of making a choice or decision

also : a choice or decision made

volitional

vō-ˈlish-nəl

-ˈli-shə-nᵊl

və-

adjective

Did you know?

When you do something of your own volition, you do it voluntarily, which makes sense—both volition and voluntary ultimately come from the Latin velle, meaning “to wish” or “to will.” English speakers borrowed volition from French in the 17th century, using it at first to mean “an act of choosing,” a meaning Herman Melville employed in Moby-Dick (1851): “Almost simultaneously, with a mighty volition of ungraduated, instantaneous swiftness, the White Whale darted through the weltering sea.” By then, however, the word had also developed an additional meaning, “the power to choose,” which is now more common.

Example Sentences

Tourette's syndrome is a neurological disorder marked by recurrent tics and vocalizations that are beyond the sufferer's volition or control. left the church of her own volition, not because she was excommunicated

Recent Examples on the Web One of the things that your product must have is the capacity to generate sales on its own volition. —

Dave Knox, Forbes, 15 June 2021 But Andres, who brings tourists to the wharf out of his own volition and not because it’s recommended by his tour agency, saw little indication of that remarkable history. —

Washington Post, 17 Jan. 2022 There were other times when Underwood worried he’d be taken off trail, but not of his own volition. —

Outside Online, 2 July 2020 Polley’s experience also underscores the fact that a child’s sense of volition—both in the moment and retrospectively—can be an expression of the sublimated desires of parents or other authority figures whom the child is eager to please. —

Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2022 Now, Libet interpreted his paradigm as being about volition, while Ellamil et al. were interested in thoughts, but maybe this difference is just one of interpretation? —

Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 28 Apr. 2016 On the other hand, this sort of thing rarely goes well when a good coach walks out the door of his own volition. —

Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, 23 Sep. 2022 But there was a more important reason that prompted Trott to leave the show of her own volition despite James’ entreaties to stay. —

Diane Bell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Dec. 2022 Every tune is hummable, toes start tapping of their own volition. —

Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Nov. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'volition.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, from Medieval Latin volition-, volitio, from Latin vol- (stem of velle to will, wish) + -ition-, -itio (as in Latin position-, positio position) — more at will

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler

The first known use of volition was in 1605

See more words from the same year