inspiration

/ˈɪnspəˌreɪʃən/

/ɪnspɪˈreɪʃən/

Other forms: inspirations

An inspiration is a product of your thought, like a brilliant idea. If you have the next revolutionary inspiration like the printing press, the telephone, or the computer, you may just change the world.

The noun inspiration can also mean a sudden intuition or idea, or something that arouses your desire to take action. You may find that doing some routine provides inspiration (gets your creative juices flowing), like going for a walk, looking at art, or reading a great poem. Inspiration can also mean breathing in or inhaling.

Definitions of inspiration

1. noun

   arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity
   types:

   germ, seed, source

   anything that provides inspiration for later work

   mother

   a condition that is the inspiration for an activity or situation

   afflatus

   a strong creative impulse; divine inspiration

   taproot

   something that provides an important central source for growth or development

   muse

   the source of an artist's inspiration

   type of:

   idea, thought

   the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
2. noun

   the act of arousing to a particular emotion or action
   synonyms: stirring

   type of:

   arousal, rousing

   the act of arousing
3. noun

   a sudden intuition as part of solving a problem
   type of:

   intuition

   instinctive knowing (without the use of rational processes)
4. noun

   a product of your creative thinking and work
   “he had little respect for the inspirations of other artists”

   synonyms: brainchild

   type of:

   product, production

   an artifact that has been created by someone or some process
5. noun

   (theology) a special influence of a divinity on the minds of human beings
   synonyms: divine guidance

   type of:

   cognitive factor

   something immaterial (as a circumstance or influence) that contributes to producing a result
6. noun

   the act of inhaling; the drawing in of air (or other gases) as in breathing
   synonyms: aspiration, breathing in, inhalation, intake

   types:

   gasp, pant

   a short labored intake of breath with the mouth open

   drag, puff, pull

   a slow inhalation (as of tobacco smoke)

   toke

   a puff of a marijuana or hashish cigarette

   type of:

   breath

   the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing