motivation

[moh-tuh-vey-shuhn]

noun

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of motivation¹

First recorded in 1870–75; motive + -ation

Example Sentences

While luxe vacations and private schooling give children clues that they are wealthy, many families don’t share their true net worths, fearful of spoiling them or dimming their motivation to earn.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“I thought something in my life would change,” Ali told detectives of his motivation according to the Ventura County Star.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The motivation behind the project was to provide support and help people understand the impact of the daily immigration raids, Corcoran said in an interview.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"This law means we will be the first in Europe to reveal the real motivation of the perpetrators, which is hierarchy and power."

Read more on BBC

Researchers say there are often mixed motivations why an account may not be transparent about its location.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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