Word of the Day: ‘Volition’ meaning explained, with origin, pronunciation and examples

Today’s Word of the Day is “volition,” a noun used to describe the power or ability to make a choice or decision through your own will. When someone does something “of their own volition”, it means they chose to do it voluntarily, without being forced or pressured by someone else.

The word is often used when talking about personal choice, free will and deliberate action.

Volition meaning in English

Volition means the act of making a conscious choice or decision. It can also refer to the ability to use one's own will to decide what to do.


For example, if an employee leaves a job of their own volition, the person has chosen to leave rather than being dismissed or forced out.

The word is commonly used in the phrase “of one's own volition”, meaning by one's own choice or decision.

How to use ‘volition’ in a sentence

Here are some examples of how “volition” can be used:

• She left the organisation of her own volition after several years.
• He decided to apologise of his own volition.
• The child began reading books out of his own volition.
• She made the decision entirely of her own volition.

In each example, the word conveys the idea that the person acted according to their own choice rather than because they were compelled to do so.

Volition pronunciation

Volition is pronounced vuh-LISH-un.

Its phonetic pronunciation is commonly given as /vəˈlɪʃən/.

The stress falls on the second syllable, “lish”.

Origin and history of ‘volition’

The word volition comes from the Latin volitio, meaning “will” or “willing”. It is derived from velle, meaning “to wish” or “to will”.

The term entered English through French and was used in English by the 17th century. Its connection with the idea of will has remained central to its meaning, particularly in philosophical and psychological discussions about choice and intentional action.

The related word voluntary also comes from the same Latin root associated with willing or choosing.

Volition vs voluntary

Although volition and voluntary are related, they are used differently.

Volition refers to the power or act of choosing through one's own will, while voluntary generally describes something done willingly rather than under compulsion.

For example, “He made the decision of his own volition” focuses on his personal choice, while “He made a voluntary contribution” describes an action that he willingly undertook.

Why ‘volition’ is useful

“Volition” is a precise word for describing personal agency and deliberate choice. Rather than simply saying that someone “decided” to do something, it can emphasise that the decision came from the person's own will.

The phrase “of your own volition” is especially useful when making clear that someone acted independently and was not forced to do so.