Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

inspiration

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

noun

  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.

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

"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
inspiration Scientific  
/ ĭn′spə-rā′shən /

  1. See inhalation

Other Word Forms

  • reinspiration noun

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; inspire ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He’s indicating the power itself is an inspiration.

From Slate • Apr. 9, 2026

The brand became popular for its unique fragrances that took inspiration from British nature.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

On multiple fronts, his dad has served as a source of inspiration.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

She revamped “about half” the house as soon as she moved in, drawing inspiration from the property’s grove of deodar trees.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

Back and forth in front of the windows, the way he did when searching for inspiration for one of his speeches.

From "The Rock and the River" by Kekla Magoon

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.