What does "inspiration" mean?
The drawing of air into the lungs, accomplished in mammals by elevation of the chest walls and flattening of the diaphragm, as part of the act of breathing.
Inspiration
/ˌɪn.spɪˈɹeɪ.ʃən/ noun
noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The drawing of air into the lungs, accomplished in mammals by elevation of the chest walls and flattening of the diaphragm, as part of the act of breathing.
- Grammar: inspiration is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: a priori knowledge, afflatus, air current, ambition.
- Useful contrasts: discouraging, blowing, demotivation.
- Usage evidence: What is your greatest source of inspiration?
How to use "inspiration"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "inspiration" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "inspiration" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "inspiration" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "inspiration" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "inspiration" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "a priori knowledge" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "inspiration", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The drawing of air into the lungs, accomplished in mammals by elevation of the chest walls and flattening of the diaphragm, as part of the act of breathing. uncountable
"Holonym: respiration"
- 2 the act of inhaling; the drawing in of air (or other gases) as in breathing wordnet
- 3 A single inward breath (intake of air). countable
"Laughing is produced by an inspiration succeeded by a succession of short imperfect expirations."
- 4 arousing to a particular emotion or action wordnet
- 5 A supernatural divine influence on the prophets, apostles, or sacred writers, by which they were qualified to communicate moral or religious truth with authority; a supernatural influence which qualifies people to receive and communicate divine truth; also, the truth communicated. countable, uncountable
"The question, therefore, at issue is, not whether those external means be sufficient without grace and divine inspiration, for none pretends that": but, in order to hinder men from feigning or imagining an inspiration, whether it has not been God's economy, and his usual conduct to make his inspiration walk hand in hand with certain means of fact, which men can neither feign in the air without being convicted of falsehood, nor imagine without illusion."
Show 7 more definitions
- 6 a product of your creative thinking and work wordnet
- 7 The act or process of an elevating or stimulating influence upon the intellect, emotions or creativity. countable, uncountable
"She was waiting for inspiration to write a book."
- 8 (theology) a special influence of a divinity on the minds of human beings wordnet
- 9 A person, object, or situation which quickens or stimulates an influence upon the intellect, emotions or creativity. countable, uncountable
"The trip was an inspiration to her for writing a book."
- 10 a sudden intuition as part of solving a problem wordnet
- 11 A new idea, especially one which arises suddenly and is clever or creative. countable, uncountable
"After an interval the Psychologist had an inspiration. "It must have gone into the past if it has gone anywhere," he said."
- 12 arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"What is your greatest source of inspiration?"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "inspiration"?
Common synonyms include: a priori knowledge, afflatus, air current, ambition, animating spirit, animation.
How do you use "inspiration" in a sentence?
What is your greatest source of inspiration?
How do you pronounce "inspiration"?
Pronounced /ˌɪn.spɪˈɹeɪ.ʃən/.
Etymology
From Middle English inspiracioun, from Old French inspiration, from Late Latin īnspīrātiōnem (nominative: īnspīrātiō), from Latin īnspīrātus (past participle of inspīrō). By surface analysis, inspire + -ation. Displaced native Old English onbryrdnes (literally “in-pricked-ness”).