inspiration
noun
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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
Julia Teti, WWD, 5 July 2024
Timberlake’s latest album draws ample inspiration from the Bush-era release’s clean, electronic sound, creating a smooth rally between old and new.
—Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2024
Or, the more recent generations of fashion glitterati who flock to the city in search of inspiration and creative nourishment, from Jean-Paul Gaultier to John Galliano, and whose collections have been inspired by the city’s distinctive aesthetic.
—Liam Hess, Vogue, 5 July 2024
Photo : Large Yacht Corp Shark Attack The natural world was a key source of inspiration for Dar’s exterior designer, Luiz de Basto.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 4 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for inspiration 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inspiration.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Inspiration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inspiration. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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inspiration
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inspiration
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