motivation

American  

[moh-tuh-vay-shuhn] / ˌmoʊ təˈveɪ ʃən /

noun

• motivations
  plural

1. 

   the act or an instance of motivating, or providing with a reason to act in a certain way.

   I don't understand what her motivation was for quitting her job.

   Synonyms:

   impetus, cause, inducement, inspiration, motive

2. the state or condition of being motivated or having a strong reason to act or accomplish something.

   We know that these students have strong motivation to learn.

3. something that motivates; inducement; incentive.

   Clearly, the company's long-term motivation is profit.

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motivation British  

/ ˌməʊtɪˈveɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of motivating

2. desire to do; interest or drive

3. incentive or inducement

4. psychol the process that arouses, sustains and regulates human and animal behaviour

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• demotivation
  noun
• nonmotivation
  noun
• remotivation
  noun
• motivational
  adjective
• motivative
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• motivations
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of motivation

First recorded in 1870–75; motive + -ation

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Explanation

People often need motivation to do tasks they'd prefer not to do. Do you work? Your motivation is your paycheck. Lost something? Finding it may provide motivation to tidy the house. At the root of the word motivation is the word motive, which is similarly defined as the reason for a particular action. Although the words are synonyms, when it comes to criminal behavior, people generally ask about the motives leading to the criminal acts, not the motivation behind them. Other synonyms for motivation include inspiration and enthusiasm, so people tend to associate motivation with positive acts.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

motivation motivations

That isn’t the same as telling employees exactly what to do, which can kill their motivation and creativity.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

But Spanish Olympic triple jumper Ana Peleteiro-Compaore Brion questioned the motivation for the support.

From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026

For Yarahmadian, the motivation behind the research extends beyond the mathematical challenge.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026

He shares that his family, his wife and daughter, provide him with a newfound motivation to make justice a reality for Black people and all other people of color.

From Salon ● Sep. 29, 2026

It is my hope that everyone finds their own sword to wield in a way that brings them happiness and success, and that the word “no” becomes their motivation to press forward.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

Secessionist movements regularly have "economic motivations," but typically those are married to a linguistic or nationalist component, Griffiths said.

From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026

You know, normally in First Amendment cases, there is a factual dispute about the motivations of government action.

From Slate ● Sep. 30, 2026

Just as your altruism or kindness can lead you astray, so can other motivations, like greed — participating in a get-rich-quick scam that seems too good to be true.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 25, 2026

Spencer’s motivations for writing the book quickly came under scrutiny, with parts of the British media suggesting Spencer may want to cash in after three divorces.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

They often have an uncanny ability to sense feelings, intentions and motivations.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

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Related Words

• catalyst
• desire
• encouragement
• impetus
• impulse
• incentive
• inclination
• interest
• motive
• reason
• wish

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