volition

[ voh-lish-uhn, vuh- ]

noun

1. the act of willing, choosing, or resolving; exercise of willing:

   She left of her own volition.

   Synonyms: choice, discretion

2. a choice or decision made by the will.
3. the power of willing; will.

volition

/ vəˈlɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of exercising the will

   of one's own volition

2. the faculty or capability of conscious choice, decision, and intention; the will
3. the resulting choice or resolution
4. philosophy an act of will as distinguished from the physical movement it intends to bring about

Derived Forms

• voˈlitionally, adverb
• voˈlitional, adjective

Other Words From

• vo·li·tion·al; vo·li·tion·ar·y [voh-, lish, -, uh, -ner-ee], adjective
• non·vo·li·tion noun
• su·per·vo·li·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of volition¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Medieval Latin volitiōn- (stem of volitiō ), equivalent to vol- (variant stem of velle “to want, wish”; will ¹ ) + -itiōn- -ition

Word History and Origins

Origin of volition¹

C17: from Medieval Latin volitiō, from Latin vol- as in volō I will, present stem of velle to wish

Synonym Study

See will ².

Example Sentences

Spooky Meter: 4/5 This is the only location on our list where the reporter experienced potentially paranormal activity, when a martini glass slid across the table seemingly of its own volition.

From Los Angeles Times

After all, when the social culture changes, it is never of its own volition.

From Los Angeles Times

That leaves 31 members — 19 Republicans and 12 Democrats, 20 of whom were interviewed for this article — who have decided to leave the House of their own volition, with no electoral pressure to do so.

From New York Times

"They are all under their own volition and free will to go and do what they think is right for their career," explained Dowson.

From BBC

Cohen would not have paid Daniels on his own volition, Hicks testified.

From Salon