motivation

Everyday

1. The wish or energy to do something and keep trying. tree →
2. A reason for doing something. tree →
3. (formal) Something that gives a reason or encourages action. tree →

In the lessons

Used at school ("Where's your motivation today?"), in sport, in science about why animals behave as they do, and in stories about a character's reasons for acting. Phrases: "lack of motivation", "lose motivation", "a strong motivation", "the motivation behind".

Examples

• I lost my motivation to practise piano after the holidays. tree →
• Winning the cup was a big motivation for the team. tree →
• What was the villain's motivation for stealing the jewel? tree →
• Our teacher gives us stickers for motivation. tree →
• Hunger is a strong motivation for animals to hunt. tree →
• She has lots of motivation; she practises every day. tree →
• The motivation behind the new rule was to keep everyone safe. tree →

Note

Usually uncountable ("lots of motivation", not "lots of motivations") when it means the wish to do something; countable when it means a particular reason. Verb: "motivate"; adjective: "motivated". In police stories, "motive" is the usual word for the reason for a crime.