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

To capture those moments of inspiration, everything in the studio is automatically recorded.

From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026

“It took a while, but it was right for it not to happen until now. Right now is when we need it. Young people are struggling to find hope and inspiration and guidance, connection ...”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026

The musician built the studio so he could work whenever inspiration struck.

From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026

“It’s rather like designing a set for the life you wish to pursue,” Curry said of his inspiration for the design of the home.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 31, 2026

Oliver headed up to his bedroom to think about gifts, but when he saw his copy of Treasure Island sitting on his desk he had a flash of inspiration to avenge Hyacinth’s honor.

From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser

Spohn cites “Game of Thrones,” “Lord of the Rings,” “Dungeons & Dragons,” “Star Wars” and even “The Parent Trap” as some of the more popular cultural inspirations for newbies.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026

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

Shaboozey has cited Leone and Quentin Tarantino as inspirations in his work, and the new collection is stuffed—some will say overstuffed—with pulpy cinematic flourishes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

Madison Beer’s latest release, “locket,” is full of references and inspirations from the music of the 2010s, which Beer grew up with.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

The second is missing the commas that delimit the phrases making up the list of inspirations: cooking, her family, and her dog.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

Related Words

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