motivation
noun
mo·ti·va·tion
ˌmō-tə-ˈvā-shən 
1
a
: the act or process of motivating
Some students need motivation to help them through school.
b
: the condition of being motivated
employees who lack motivation
motivationally
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of motivation in a Sentence
Some students need motivation to help them through school.
Many people have questioned her motivations in choosing to run for office at this time.
Recent Examples on the Web
Prepare for a lack of motivation while Mars meets Neptune.
—
USA TODAY, 28 Apr. 2024
Her motivations for backing out of the deal are never clear and her quiet exit represents the beginning of Humane’s nagging plot holes.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Apr. 2024
Popular on Variety Speaking to Variety, Weigert says her seamstress character’s motivation in life has always been to nurture, and witnessing her husband’s wilting health during their brief meetings is a call to action.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 18 Apr. 2024
While this deception may result in tangible benefits—like disability funds or opioid medications the caregiver then abuses—the perpetrator’s primary motivation is typically attention, says Mary Sanders, a clinical psychology professor at Stanford University School of Medicine.
—Sarah Klein, TIME, 18 Apr. 2024
Whatever your motivation, keep a vision in mind of what success looks like.
—Marni Jameson, The Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2024
Jordan described its motivations as acting in the country's own defense, not on behalf of Israel, as the drones and missiles entered Jordan's airspace.
—NBC News, 15 Apr. 2024
The making of a movement The motivation to reach lawmakers is common among families who say their children’s lives were lost due to social media.
—Samantha Murphy Kelly, CNN, 13 Apr. 2024
Authorities did not provide any further details, including possible motivations, connections to the victims or evidence that led to the arrests of the four individuals.
—Jordan Freiman, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2024
USA TODAY, 28 Apr. 2024
Her motivations for backing out of the deal are never clear and her quiet exit represents the beginning of Humane’s nagging plot holes.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Apr. 2024
Popular on Variety Speaking to Variety, Weigert says her seamstress character’s motivation in life has always been to nurture, and witnessing her husband’s wilting health during their brief meetings is a call to action.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 18 Apr. 2024
While this deception may result in tangible benefits—like disability funds or opioid medications the caregiver then abuses—the perpetrator’s primary motivation is typically attention, says Mary Sanders, a clinical psychology professor at Stanford University School of Medicine.
—Sarah Klein, TIME, 18 Apr. 2024
Whatever your motivation, keep a vision in mind of what success looks like.
—Marni Jameson, The Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2024
Jordan described its motivations as acting in the country's own defense, not on behalf of Israel, as the drones and missiles entered Jordan's airspace.
—NBC News, 15 Apr. 2024
The making of a movement The motivation to reach lawmakers is common among families who say their children’s lives were lost due to social media.
—Samantha Murphy Kelly, CNN, 13 Apr. 2024
Authorities did not provide any further details, including possible motivations, connections to the victims or evidence that led to the arrests of the four individuals.
—Jordan Freiman, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'motivation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near motivation
Cite this Entry
“Motivation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motivation. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
motivation
noun
mo·ti·va·tion
ˌmōt-ə-ˈvā-shən
1
a
: the act or process of motivating
b
: the condition of being motivated
2
: a motivating force or influence : incentive
Medical Definition
motivation
noun
mo·ti·va·tion
ˌmōt-ə-ˈvā-shən
1
a
: the act or process of motivating
b
: the condition of being motivated
2
: a motivating force, stimulus, or influence (as a drive or incentive)
lacks the motivation to lose weight
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