motivation

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

noun

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.
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.
something that motivates; inducement; incentive: Clearly, the company's long-term motivation is profit.

QUIZZES

CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH THESE WORDS FROM "LITTLE WOMEN"

"Little Women" may be a classic, but that doesn't mean we all know the meanings of the vocab words from the book. Can you define these words correctly and make Jo proud?
Question 1 of 10
earnest
full seriousness, as of intention or purpose.
a feeling of dread, anxiety, or anguish.
urgent character; imperativeness; insistence; importunateness.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of motivation

First recorded in 1870–75; motive + -ation

SYNONYMS FOR motivation

1 motive, inspiration, inducement, cause, impetus.

OTHER WORDS FROM motivation

Words nearby motivation

motion sickness, motion study, motion work, motionless, motivate, motivation, motivation research, motivational research, motive, motive power, motivic
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for motivative

motivation
/ (ˌməʊtɪˈveɪʃən) /

noun

the act or an instance of motivating
desire to do; interest or drive
incentive or inducement
psychol the process that arouses, sustains and regulates human and animal behaviour

Derived forms of motivation

motivational, adjectivemotivative, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012