volitional

American  

[voh-lish-uh-nl, vuh-] / voʊˈlɪʃ ə nl, və- /

Rarely volitionary

adjective

1. done of one’s own will or choosing; deliberately decided or chosen.

   Researchers must make a reasonable effort to obtain the express and volitional assent of their research subjects.

2. under conscious control.

   The most hopeful new development is that scientists have used artificial nerve connections to restore some volitional movement for a subject's paralyzed arm.

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Other Word Forms

• nonvolitional adjective
• prevolitional adjective
• unvolitional adjective
• volitionally adverb

Etymology

Origin of volitional

volition ( def. ) + -al ¹ ( def. )

Explanation

Something volitional is done on purpose, like deciding to walk to the library to return your overdue books. When someone does something of their own volition, it means they meant to do it. Likewise, volitional acts are also things done deliberately. Most of our actions are volitional — you likely meant to go to the store, watch your favorite TV show, or hang out with your friends. If someone forces you to do something, it is not a volitional act. The root is the Latin word for "I wish," volo.

Example Sentences

A planned frolic that features joyful dancing to the compulsive rhythms of a string band forgets that the conditions behind this festivity aren’t volitional.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 23, 2022

In other chapters, though, race appears to have a more volitional hue, and people are “black by choice with a recognized right of resignation.”

From Washington Post • Sep. 8, 2021

But exercise is volitional; we can decide, for the most part, whether, when, where, how long, how hard and with whom we will work out.

From New York Times • Jun. 2, 2021

Spanning the late teens and early 20s, it’s a volitional, transitional period marked by exploration of life and love, work and world views.

From Washington Times • Jan. 31, 2021

A cognitive faculty without the dynamic of the volitional would be a machine without driving force.

From Monophysitism Past and Present A Study in Christology by Luce, A. A. (Arthur Aston)