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
If implemented correctly, the introduction of personalized career paths and motivation systems, as well as AI mentors, can help retain talented employees, reduce staff turnover and promote their development.
—
Vitaliy Tymoshenko, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says reading aloud to your child from birth stimulates brain development, helping to build language, literacy, and a motivation to learn.2 The same goes for talking and singing.
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 24 Sep. 2024
But whatever the motivations behind the visit, Kardashian’s track record of shining a light on cases that demand to be revisited may ultimately be beneficial to those fighting the cause of exoneration.
—Lucy Ford, TIME, 24 Sep. 2024
Yet, the decision comes suspiciously after these lecturers fought for and won a long-overdue pay raise last year, calling into question the motivations behind this move.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 23 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for motivation 
Vitaliy Tymoshenko, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says reading aloud to your child from birth stimulates brain development, helping to build language, literacy, and a motivation to learn.2 The same goes for talking and singing.
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 24 Sep. 2024
But whatever the motivations behind the visit, Kardashian’s track record of shining a light on cases that demand to be revisited may ultimately be beneficial to those fighting the cause of exoneration.
—Lucy Ford, TIME, 24 Sep. 2024
Yet, the decision comes suspiciously after these lecturers fought for and won a long-overdue pay raise last year, calling into question the motivations behind this move.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 23 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for motivation
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 1 Oct. 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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