What is the best definition for the word impetus?

The best definition for the word "impetus" is motivation. In a general sense, impetus refers to a driving force or stimulus that causes action or an increase in activity. It embodies the concept of encouragement or inspiration that energizes a person to pursue goals or engage in tasks. This aligns closely with the idea of motivation, which is about the reasons or desires that drive individuals to act or behave in certain ways. In various contexts, such as discussions of physical motion or dynamics, impetus can also denote a force that causes an object to move or continue moving, further reinforcing its association with motivation and action. Understanding impetus in this way illustrates how essential it is as a concept in both personal and broader contexts where action is needed.