inspiration

[in-spuh-rey-shuhn]

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

/ 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

inspiration

1. See inhalation

Other Word Forms

• reinspiration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inspiration¹

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

The armor for this Batman took inspiration from Aztec eagle warriors and jaguar warriors, and integrated elements referencing the god Tzinacan.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Perhaps best remembered as the inspiration for a luxury handbag, the Hermès Birkin, the woman herself favored a casual, accessible style.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Social media is full of videos of grown-ups limping through duck-duck-goose and chucking giant water balloons at each other’s faces, providing both inspiration and a warning.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The architects of The Altar—working on their first commission of this sort—found inspiration in churches and nightclubs.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The architect used the land as a resource in multiple ways, Rodamaker tells me, from inspiration to construction, harnessing materials like sand, limestone and oak.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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