volition

noun

vo·​li·​tion vō-ˈli-shən How to pronounce volition (audio)
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
 How to pronounce volition (audio)
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.

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 Some nuns would vanish—of their own volition, which they weren’t supposed to have, or because they’d been asked to leave. Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024 The decision is largely a response to many downtown employees coming back to the office either of their own volition or requirements by their employers, according to Baru owner Tyler Wogenstahl. Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 1 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for volition 

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

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Dictionary Entries Near volition

Cite this Entry

“Volition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/volition. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

volition

noun
vo·​li·​tion vō-ˈlish-ən How to pronounce volition (audio)
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 How to pronounce volition (audio)
-ən-ᵊl
adjective

Medical Definition

volition

noun
vo·​li·​tion vō-ˈlish-ən, və- How to pronounce volition (audio)
1
: an act of making a choice or decision
also : a choice or decision made
2
: the power of choosing or determining

More from Merriam-Webster on volition

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