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 Words From

• mo·ti·va·tion·al adjective
• mo·ti·va·tive [moh, -t, uh, -vey-tiv], adjective
• de·mo·ti·va·tion noun
• non·mo·ti·va·tion noun
• re·mo·ti·va·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of motivation¹

First recorded in 1870–75; motive + -ation

Related Words

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