inspiration

American  

[in-spuh-rey-shuhn] / ˌɪn spəˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

• inspirations
  plural

1. an inspiring or animating action or influence.

   I cannot write poetry without inspiration.

   Synonyms:

   incitement, stimulus

2. something inspired, as an idea.

3. a result of inspired activity.

4. a thing or person that inspires.

5. Theology.

   1. a divine influence directly and immediately exerted upon the mind or soul.

   2. the divine quality of the writings or words of a person so influenced.

6. the drawing of air into the lungs; inhalation.

7. the act of inspiring; quality or state of being inspired.

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inspiration British  

/ ˌɪnspɪˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. stimulation or arousal of the mind, feelings, etc, to special or unusual activity or creativity

2. the state or quality of being so stimulated or aroused

3. someone or something that causes this state

4. an idea or action resulting from such a state

5. the act or process of inhaling; breathing in

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inspiration Scientific  

/ ĭn′spə-rā′shən /

1. See inhalation

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• reinspiration
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• inspirations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of inspiration

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English inspiracio(u)n, from Late Latin inspīrātiōn-, stem of inspīrātiō literally “a breathing in,” from inspīrāt(us) “breathed in” (past participle of inspīrāre; see inspire) + -iō -ion

Explanation

An inspiration is a product of your thought, like a brilliant idea. If you have the next revolutionary inspiration like the printing press, the telephone, or the computer, you may just change the world. The noun inspiration can also mean a sudden intuition or idea, or something that arouses your desire to take action. You may find that doing some routine provides inspiration (gets your creative juices flowing), like going for a walk, looking at art, or reading a great poem. Inspiration can also mean breathing in or inhaling.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

inspiration inspirations

First, the retirement of Ben Stokes has robbed them not only of inspiration, but of balance.

From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026

To build that protective bond with her on-screen daughter, the actress drew inspiration from her relationship with her own sisters: "The people you'd do anything for," she described.

From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026

Their journey began in 2007, when BG, Zeimani and Kucha moved to Los Angeles to pursue music with minds full of inspiration and melodies.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026

After a string of successful records came to an end, the songwriter was seeking fresh inspiration.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

All inspiration aside, there were underlying reasons for making the transition.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Many of Iraola's attacking principles resemble those of one of his long-time managerial inspirations, the former Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa.

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

“True Detective” and “Slow Horses” have been mentioned as inspirations for the series, which boasts both prestige TV and comic book bona fides in creators Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof and Tom King.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 13, 2026

Manchester United captains, talismen and inspirations; both eager that the club continues to climb out of the doldrums and reconnect with a glorious past Rooney was part of before Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

From BBC ● Apr. 24, 2026

Ms. Ware has cited Donna Summer and Chaka Khan as inspirations, and her voice’s combination of power and warmth puts her in league with such legends.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 21, 2026

It is here that we have ideas and inspirations, here that we read and write, here that we do mathematics and compose music.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Related Words

• encouragement
• enthusiasm
• genius
• incentive
• influence
• insight
• motivation
• revelation
• vision