inspiration

[ in-spuh-rey-shuhn ]

/ ˌɪn spəˈreɪ ʃən /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR inspiration ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an inspiring or animating action or influence: I cannot write poetry without inspiration.

something inspired, as an idea.

a result of inspired activity.

a thing or person that inspires.

Theology.

a divine influence directly and immediately exerted upon the mind or soul.
the divine quality of the writings or words of a person so influenced.

the drawing of air into the lungs; inhalation.

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

Nearby words

Origin of inspiration

1275–1325; Middle English inspiracio(u)n < Late Latin inspīrātiōn- (stem of inspīrātiō). See inspire, -ation

SYNONYMS FOR inspiration

1. stimulus, incitement.

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Related formsre·in·spi·ra·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for inspiration

In this way, inspiration becomes appropriation, which leads directly to theft and erasure.
The Cultural Crimes of Iggy Azalea|Amy Zimmerman|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But inspiration and faith-based agenda in movies does not guarantee box office success.
Are You There, God? It’s Nicolas Cage and the Year in Cinematically Pimped Religion|Matthew Paul Turner|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Hockney is also refreshingly genuine when it comes to revealing another source of inspiration—other artists.
The Many Lives of Artist David Hockney|William O’Connor|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In fact, new technologies—copiers, fax machines, and recently the iPad—were significant sources of inspiration for him.
The Many Lives of Artist David Hockney|William O’Connor|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Though it may have been a depressing environment, the gritty streets of Washington gave Gil plenty of inspiration for his lyrics.
‘The Prince of Chocolate City’: When Gil Scott-Heron Became A Music Icon|Marcus Baram|November 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Their destiny is in your hand and mine—a free Nation without a slave—the hope, refuge and inspiration of the world.
The Southerner|Thomas Dixon
And first of all, he must determine what is the proof of the inspiration of a book.
History of Rationalism Embracing a Survey of the Present State of Protestant Theology|John F. Hurst
Inspiration, alone, dictated this masterpiece; it rose from the composer's soul like a cry of love!
Massimilla Doni|Honore de Balzac
The second work in which Donatello took his inspiration exclusively from childhood is at Prato.
Donatello|David Lindsay, Earl of Crawford
The idea of the stage had once come to her like an inspiration.
Jewel Weed|Alice Ames Winter

British Dictionary definitions for inspiration

inspiration

/ (ˌɪnspɪˈreɪʃən) /

noun

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

the state or quality of being so stimulated or aroused

someone or something that causes this state

an idea or action resulting from such a state

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

Word Origin and History for inspiration

inspiration

c.1300, "immediate influence of God or a god," especially that under which the holy books were written, from Old French inspiracion "inhaling, breathing in; inspiration," from Late Latin inspirationem (nominative inspiratio), noun of action from past participle stem of Latin inspirare "inspire, inflame, blow into," from in- "in" (see in- (2)) + spirare "to breathe" (see spirit). Literal sense "act of inhaling" attested in English from 1560s. Meaning "one who inspires others" is attested by 1867.

Medicine definitions for inspiration