'Motivate' definitions:

Definition of 'motivate'

From: WordNet
verb
Give an incentive for action; "This moved me to sacrifice my career" [syn: motivate, actuate, propel, move, prompt, incite]

Definition of 'Motivate'

From: GCIDE
  • Motivate \Mo"ti*vate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. -vated; p. pr. & vb. n. -vating.] [From Motive, n.] To provide with a motive; to move; impel; induce; incite. -- {Mo`ti*va"tion}, n. --William James.
  • Syn: move, prompt, incite, induce impel, drive. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]