inspiration

[in-spuh-rey-shuhn]

noun

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

/ 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

1. See inhalation

Other Word Forms

• reinspiration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inspiration¹

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; inspire ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

“But then other inspirations of mine put out a lot of music and have this big pop empire,” Rapp said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Fellow Nepali mountain guides have described him as a legend and an inspiration.

Read more on BBC

D'Angelo may have been uncomfortable with cultural moments most closely associated with him - but he will perhaps be best remembered as an inspiration.

Read more on BBC

Reggaeton is the perfect encapsulation of how real artists embrace difference, drawing inspiration from diversity that exposes them to sounds, visions and ideas they’ve never experienced before.

Read more on Salon

An added bonus, she said, would be for her win to serve as an "inspiration to a whole lot of others coming, especially for the women in agriculture".

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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