volition

noun

vo·​li·​tion vō-ˈli-shən 

və-

1

: the power of choosing or determining : will

2

: an act of making a choice or decision

also : a choice or decision made

volitional

vō-ˈli-sh(ə-)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.

Synonyms

• accord
• autonomy
• choice
• free will
• self-determination
• will

Examples of volition in a Sentence

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

The strategy: Getting workers to come in of their own volition After shuttering more than 90 offices worldwide in March 2020, Autodesk gradually began reopening for optional use in 2021 at different times, based on local regulations. —Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 24 Oct. 2023

Embracing the sufficiency mindset The sufficiency mindset revolves around acknowledging and prioritizing our core needs (physical, emotional, mental, social, and purpose-driven), as well as our sense of volition (having control over these things). —Jean Gomes, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2023

Again and again, Pathogenesis suggests that the course of history has less to do with our own volition and more to do with the ways in which different diseases fared in different climates. —Colin Dickey, The New Republic, 3 May 2023

Williams has been spotted in Memphis over the summer, but Hardaway said that that was of his own volition and not in any official capacity with the program. —Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Sep. 2023

Prosecutors intend to argue that Mr. Navarro refused of his own volition and that neither Mr. Trump nor his lawyers have confirmed whether Mr. Navarro sought or received his approval. —Zach Montague, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2023

Managers should not wait to be offered training from HR, and nor should HR expect managers to take accountability of their own volition. —Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2023

Since those candidates likely won’t drop out of the race of their own volition, Romney argued GOP megadonors should turn off the campaign cash to force them out. —Bryan Schott, The Salt Lake Tribune, 21 Aug. 2023

But officials have repeatedly emphasized that King was seized by the North Koreans after crossing into the country of his own volition, while dressed as a civilian and on a private tour of the demilitarized zone – not as part of any active fighting between the US and North Korean militaries. —Gawon Bae, CNN, 15 Aug. 2023

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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

Phrases Containing volition

• of one's own volition

• of one's own volition

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Kids Definition

volition

noun

vo·​li·​tion vō-ˈlish-ən 

və-

: the act or power of making one's choices or decisions : will

they do not do this of their own volition

volitional

-ˈlish-nəl 

-ən-ᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

volition

noun

vo·​li·​tion vō-ˈlish-ən, və- 

1

: an act of making a choice or decision

also : a choice or decision made

2

: the power of choosing or determining