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.

---

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

---

inspiration Scientific  

/ ĭn′spə-rā′shən /

1. See inhalation

---

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

Mackie, the fashion designer who died Monday at 87 years old, had taken inspiration from Cher’s wardrobe, sheathing Barbie in a sleek, gold-sequined gown.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026

The manager, himself, looks like he's lacking in any inspiration.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

After the theft in Messina, an Italian official cited as possible inspiration the much-noted purchase by Italy of a small painting by Antonello for about $15 million in February.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026

The discovery could also provide inspiration for researchers and companies investigating ways to accelerate methane destruction deliberately.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 15, 2026

I scan the room, hoping for inspiration, but the only place I can think of that will even conceal him temporarily is beneath my bed.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black

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

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

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

Rather they are drawn from the same motivations and inspirations.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 20, 2026

It is here that we have ideas and inspirations, here that we read and write, here that we do mathematics and compose music.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Related Words

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