noun
1. 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 (Freq. 5)
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we did not understand his motivation
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he acted with the best of motives
• Derivationally related forms: ↑motive (for: ↑motive), ↑motivate (for: ↑motive), ↑motivational, ↑motivate
• Hypernyms: ↑psychological feature
• Hyponyms:
↑life, ↑rational motive, ↑irrational motive, ↑urge, ↑impulse, ↑ethical motive, ↑ethics, ↑morals, ↑morality, ↑psychic energy, ↑mental energy
2. the condition of being motivated
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his motivation was at a high level
• Derivationally related forms: ↑motivational, ↑motivate
3. the act of motivating; providing incentive
• Syn: ↑motivating
• Derivationally related forms: ↑motivating (for: ↑motivating), ↑motivational, ↑motivate
• Hypernyms: ↑act, ↑deed, ↑human action, ↑human activity
Useful english dictionary. 2012.