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

One of the key motivations behind the ballot measure effort was to curb road deaths in the city. — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 27 July 2026

Fatigue, low motivation, weight gain and irritability are being reclaimed by primary care as signals of sleep debt, metabolic disease and untreated depression rather than default hormone problems. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026

None of the characters has convincing motivation for their actions or words. — Zack Sharf, Variety, 27 July 2026

Fatigue, low motivation, mood swings and trouble concentrating get pinned on testosterone constantly, but plenty of other causes overlap. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 27 July 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