inspiration

American  

[in-spuh-ray-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

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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

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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

"It is always good to hear that the story of Tisza could provide an inspiration for other nations," the Hungarian prime minister told the BBC.

From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2026

Portuguese protesters have taken inspiration from a similar movement in neighbouring Spain, where tents have stood in central Madrid and other cities for weeks.

From Barron's ● Nov. 1, 2026

"This study highlights why it's so important for a molecular technology development lab like ours to keep looking to nature for inspiration," Shipman says.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 31, 2026

Explaining the inspiration behind the project, Mahlum told her more than 100,000 followers that she and her husband, Brett, want a home that reflects how they enjoy spending their time.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 30, 2026

This inspiration came to me as I picked out six turtles from my figurine collection to bring with me to Worlds.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles

The Beatles, the Beach Boys and the Zombies were inspirations from the ’60s, along with later acts like Todd Rundgren, Big Star and XTC.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026

Alongside Turkish girl group Hepsi, manifest cite the Spice Girls among their musical inspirations.

From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026

And on TikTok, all the girlies are having a “Practical Magic” autumn, posting fancams, outfit inspirations and indulging in the Owens’ famous midnight margarita tradition.

From Salon ● Sep. 14, 2026

There’s a plethora of modern and contemporary examples on view that reflect the far-flung inspirations and styles that artists have embraced when creating tarot cards.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026

I’m always curious about other artists and their habits, their unfinished drafts, their inspirations.

From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day

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