What is a good sentence for inspiration?

 Advanced English Vocabulary - Words to INSPIRE ✨

Definition of inspiration

1: an inspiring agent or influence

2a: the quality or state of being inspired

b: something that is inspireda scheme that was pure inspiration

3: the act of drawing inspecifically : the drawing of air into the lungs

4a: a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation

b: the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions

c: the act of influencing or suggesting opinions

Other Words from inspirationThe Inspirational History of InspirationExample SentencesLearn More About inspiration

Other Words from inspiration

inspirational \ ˌin(t)-​spə-​ˈrā-​shnəl  , -​shə-​nᵊl , -​(ˌ)spi-​ \ adjective

inspirationally adverb

The Inspirational History of Inspiration

Inspiration has an unusual history in that its figurative sense appears to predate its literal one. It comes from the Latin inspiratus (the past participle of inspirare, “to breathe into, inspire”) and in English has had the meaning “the drawing of air into the lungs” since the middle of the 16th century. This breathing sense is still in common use among doctors, as is expiration (“the act or process of releasing air from the lungs”). However, before inspiration was used to refer to breath it had a distinctly theological meaning in English, referring to a divine influence upon a person, from a divine entity; this sense dates back to the early 14th century. The sense of inspiration often found today (“someone or something that inspires”) is considerably newer than either of these two senses, dating from the 19th century.

Examples of inspiration in a Sentence

 Where does the inspiration for your art come from? His paintings take their inspiration from nature.

 She had a sudden inspiration. They would have the party outdoors! Deciding to have the party outdoors was sheer inspiration.

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Recent Examples on the WebLike so many designers, her inspiration came from lockdown.— Elise Taylor, Vogue, 8 June 2021His inspiration for the project all went back to the conversation with Wallace, Gray-Kontar said.— Anne Nickoloff, cleveland, 2 June 2021

Lindsey, a social studies teacher at Vines High School who was named Secondary Teacher of the Year, said her inspiration for becoming a teacher was a special teacher from her childhood who helped her to learn how to read.— Teri Webster, Dallas News, 1 June 2021Explaining her inspiration for evermore last year, Swift said the songs came to her like a vision.— Janine Puhak, PEOPLE.com, 1 June 2021His debt to Presley’s romantic crooning notwithstanding, Mr. Thomas cited the music of Black R&B singers like Little Richard and Jackie Wilson as his greatest vocal inspiration.— New York Times, 30 May 2021Sonic Riders was made to be like its inspiration, Sonic R, but with a focus on the increasing popularity of esports, which in 2006 was still in its infancy.— Michael J. Seidlinger, Wired, 27 May 2021McGrath said his biggest inspiration is travel: getting to know new places, meeting new people and embracing nature.— Rosa Sanchez, Forbes, 26 May 2021And though the company was established in the midst of the pandemic, its inspiration and purpose stems from its founder's experience as a bilateral amputee.— Jessica Poitevien, Travel + Leisure, 23 May 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inspiration.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of inspiration

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a