Definition of Motivation

1. Noun. The psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior. "He acted with the best of motives"


2. Noun. The condition of being motivated. "His motivation was at a high level"
Generic synonyms: Condition, Status
Derivative terms: Motivate, Motivational

3. Noun. The act of motivating; providing incentive.
Exact synonyms: Motivating
Generic synonyms: Act, Deed, Human Action, Human Activity
Derivative terms: Motivating, Motivate, Motivational

Definition of Motivation

1. Noun. Willingness of action especially in behavior ¹

2. Noun. The action of motivating. ¹

3. Noun. Something which motivates. ¹

4. Noun. An incentive or reason for doing something. ¹

5. Noun. (context: advertising) a research rating that measures how the rational and emotional elements of a commercial affect consumer intention to consider, visit, or buy something. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Motivation

1. [n -S]

Medical Definition of Motivation

1. Those factors which cause an organism to behave or act in either a goal-seeking or satisfying manner. They may be influenced by physiological drives or by external stimuli. (12 Dec 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Motivation

motional
motionally
motioned
motioner
motioners
motioning
motionless
motionlessly
motionlessness
motions
motis
motivate
motivated
motivates
motivating
motivation (current term)
motivational
motivationally
motivationless
motivations
motivative
motivative(a)
motivator
motivators
motive
motive(a)
motive power
motived
motiveless
motivelessly

Literary usage of Motivation

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Motivational Enhancement Therapy Manual: A Clinical Research Guide for by William R. Miller (1994)
"The early phase of MET focuses on developing clients' motivation to make a change in their drinking. Clients will vary widely in their readiness to change. ..."

2. Smoking Cessation: Clinical Practice Guideline by Michael C. Fiore (1996)
"(Strength of Evidence = C) Enhancing the motivation to quit requires some initial steps described in detail earlier in this guideline. ..."

3. Education by Project Innovation (Organization) (1916)
"We here have the potential possibilities for the highest form of motivation. Let us work out briefly the details of one organization, ..."

4. Principles of Teaching High School Pupils by Means of the High School Subjects by Hubert Wilbur Nutt (1922)
"CHAPTER IV THE motivation OF LEARNING motivation defined.—The term motivation is herein used to mean the stimulation of a desire upon the part of the ..."

5. Introductory Psychology for Teachers by Edward Kellogg Strong (1922)
"The fourth method of getting another to do what is desired is motivation. ... NATURE OF motivation In Lesson 36 a sentiment was shown to be "a system of ..."

6. Text-book of School and Class Management by Felix Arnold (1909)
"motivation in the pupil. — motivation may be positive or negative. ... The only motivation to be used in effective discipline is the former. ..."

7. Motivational Enhancement Therapy Manual: A Clinical Research Guide for by William R. Miller (1994)
"The early phase of MET focuses on developing clients' motivation to make a change in their drinking. Clients will vary widely in their readiness to change. ..."

8. Smoking Cessation: Clinical Practice Guideline by Michael C. Fiore (1996)
"(Strength of Evidence = C) Enhancing the motivation to quit requires some initial steps described in detail earlier in this guideline. ..."

9. Education by Project Innovation (Organization) (1916)
"We here have the potential possibilities for the highest form of motivation. Let us work out briefly the details of one organization, ..."

10. Principles of Teaching High School Pupils by Means of the High School Subjects by Hubert Wilbur Nutt (1922)
"CHAPTER IV THE motivation OF LEARNING motivation defined.—The term motivation is herein used to mean the stimulation of a desire upon the part of the ..."

11. Introductory Psychology for Teachers by Edward Kellogg Strong (1922)
"The fourth method of getting another to do what is desired is motivation. ... NATURE OF motivation In Lesson 36 a sentiment was shown to be "a system of ..."

12. Text-book of School and Class Management by Felix Arnold (1909)
"motivation in the pupil. — motivation may be positive or negative. ... The only motivation to be used in effective discipline is the former. ..."

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