motivation

mo·ti·va·tion   (mō'tə-vā'shən)    n.   The act or process of motivating. The state of being motivated. Something that motivates; an inducement or incentive. mo'ti·va'tion·al adj., mo'ti·va'tion·al·ly adv.

Main Entry: mo·ti·va·tion
Pronunciation: "mOt-&-'vA-sh&n
Function: noun
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) motivation of animal behavior —E.A. Armstrong> —mo·ti·va·tion·al /-shn&l, -sh&n-^&l/ adjective —mo·ti·va·tion·al·ly /-E/ adverb