-ation

a combination of -ate¹ and -ion, used to form nouns from stems in -ate1 (separation); on this model, used independently to form nouns from stems of other origin: starvation.

Origin of -ation

< Latin -ātiōn- (stem of -ātiō), equivalent to -ā- stem vowel + -tiōn- -tion

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British Dictionary definitions for -ation

-ation

suffix forming nouns

indicating an action, process, state, condition, or resultarbitration; cogitation; hibernation; moderation Compare -ion, -tion

Word Origin for -ation

from Latin -ātiōn-, suffix of abstract nouns, from -ātus -ate 1 + -iōn -ion

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for -ation

word-forming element for making nouns of action; see -ion.