motivation

noun

mo·​ti·​va·​tion ˌmō-tə-ˈvā-shən 

1

a

: the act or process of motivating

Some students need motivation to help them through school.

b

: the condition of being motivated

employees who lack motivation

2

: a motivating force, stimulus, or influence : incentive, drive

the Old Testament heroes added religious motivation to the waging of war

—Richard Humble

The fear of failure was the motivation for his achievements.

motivational

ˌmō-tə-ˈvā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

motivationally adverb

Synonyms

• boost
• encouragement
• goad
• impetus
• impulse
• incentive
• incitation
• incitement
• instigation
• momentum
• provocation
• spur
• stimulant
• stimulus
• yeast

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

While viewers know the film’s crux is a damning interview, its plot provides a roadmap and the personal motivations that led each figure there. —Armani Syed, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024

One of Iger’s motivations for the deal was to boost Disney’s TV executive talent by bringing over successful Fox personnel, including Walden, FX’s John Landgraf and former TV head Peter Rice. —Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024

Few readers would have had the means or motivation to heed Williams’ call, especially as the Revolutionary War raged on. —Yaakov Zinberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024

No matter the motivation, be that mindful consumption or penny pinching, thrifting is there as an accessible, fun and possibly even thrill-inducing activity. —Kayleigh Ruller, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2024

The motivation behind the administration’s proposal — making prescription drugs more affordable — is a worthy one. —Andrei Iancu, Orange County Register, 1 Apr. 2024

Our main motivation for jettisoning gas appliances was the blinking light on our air purifier. —Tik Root, WIRED, 30 Mar. 2024

Larger, multi-day IP events can create momentum and motivation. 11. —Kary Oberbrunner, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

This article is part of a collaboration between The Free Press, a Michigan State University course and the American Communities Project to tell the stories of voters, their experiences, and their political motivations in communities across Michigan. —Viet Anh Phan, Donte Smith, Detroit Free Press, 28 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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