Latin · suffix
-atio
an action, process, or result
Forms
- -atio
- -ation- — Latin stem used outside the basic noun form.
- -ation — Borrowed into English through French and Latin.
Origin
Latin -a-, associated with one class of verbs, plus the action-noun suffix -tio.
Note
The same formation can name either doing something or what the action produces.
Words sharing this root
abbreviationThe shortening of an expression or other material.abdicationThe relinquishment of an office or responsibility.aberrationA departure from what is normal or expected.abominationIntense disgust toward something considered hateful.accelerationAdvancement through schooling faster than usual.accelerationThe rate at which speed or direction of motion changes.acclamationPublic expression of collective approval.accumulationA gradual gathering or increase in amount.accusationA claim that someone did something wrong or illegal.adaptationA change that makes something suitable for different conditions.adjudicationThe formal process of considering a matter and reaching an official decision.administrationThe management or execution of an organized undertaking.administrationThe act of giving medicine or treatment.admirationWarm respect or appreciation for someone or something.adorationDeep love, admiration, or devotion.affiliationA connection with a group, organization, person, or cause.affirmationA positive declaration that something is true or supported.aggravationAn increase in trouble or irritation.aggregationThe gathering or combining of separate items into a whole.allegationA claim that someone did something wrong, especially one not yet proved.alliterationRepetition of initial consonant sounds in nearby words.allocationThe assignment of resources or responsibilities for a particular purpose.alterationA change to something or the act of changing it.altercationA heated argument or noisy dispute.ambulationThe act or ability of walking from place to place.amplificationAn increase in strength, amount, or extent.amputationRemoval of a limb or other body part by surgery or injury.annexationThe act of adding territory or property to a larger entity.annihilationComplete destruction or elimination.annunciationA formal announcement of significant news.anticipationA response occurring before an expected event.appellationA name or title used to identify someone or something.applicationA formal request to be accepted or granted something.approbationApproval or praise.arbitrationSettlement of a dispute by a neutral third party.articulationThe clear formation and expression of sounds or ideas.aspirationPronunciation of a consonant with an audible release of breath.aspirationA strong hope to achieve something.assignationA secret meeting, especially between lovers.assimilationThe integration of something into an existing system.attenuationA reduction in strength, intensity, or harmful activity.augmentationThe process of making something larger or better.auscultationListening to sounds inside the body as part of a medical examination.avocationA hobby or pursuit outside one's main occupation.cancellationThe removal of something's effect or standing.causationThe action or relationship by which one thing produces another.cauterizationBurning tissue to seal or destroy it as a medical treatment.certificationOfficial confirmation that required standards or qualifications have been met.cessationThe stopping or ending of an activity or process.circulationMovement around a connected system.citationA reference identifying a source of information.clarificationThe removal of material that makes something unclear.coagulationThe process of a liquid thickening into a partly solid mass.cohabitationLiving together, especially as unmarried romantic partners.colorationThe giving or arrangement of visible hues.combinationA group of things brought together in a particular way.commemorationA tribute honoring the memory of a person or event.commendationFormal praise or recognition of merit.commutationThe substitution of one thing for another.comparisonAn examination or expression of how things are alike or different.compensationSomething provided in return for work or to offset a loss.compilationA collection of material gathered and organized from various sources.complicationAn additional difficulty that makes a situation harder to manage.computationThe process of working out a result through calculation.concatenationThe joining of things into a connected series.conciliationThe process of settling disputes and restoring goodwill.condemnationA judgment declaring something wrong or unacceptable.condensationThe process of making something denser or more compact.confabulationAn invented memory believed to be true.confederationA union of groups, states, or organizations working toward common goals.configurationThe way the parts of an object or system are arranged.confirmationAn act establishing something as valid or settled.confiscationThe act of taking property away by authority.conflagrationA large destructive fire.conformationThe shape or arrangement of parts in a physical thing.confrontationA direct encounter with a person, problem, or opposing force.congregationPeople or things assembled together.conjugationThe changing of verb forms to express grammatical information.conjurationThe making of something appear through magic or illusion.connotationAn associated meaning or feeling beyond the literal meaning.conservationThe preservation of something against loss or depletion.consolationComfort or a benefit that eases loss, disappointment, or distress.consolidationThe strengthening of something by making it more unified.constellationA recognizable grouping of stars.constipationDifficulty or infrequency in passing stools.consultationA discussion or meeting to seek advice or exchange views before a decision.consummationThe full completion of something.contemplationDeep thought about something, especially what to do.continuationThe carrying on or extension of something already begun.conversationAn exchange of ideas, feelings, or opinions through talking.convocationA formal gathering of people or the act of calling them together.cooperationWorking together toward a shared purpose.coordinateTo arrange separate things to fit and work well together.coordinationThe arrangement of parts to function harmoniously together.coronationA ceremony in which a king or queen is formally crowned.corporationA company or organization legally recognized as separate from its owners or members.corroborationEvidence or support that confirms a claim or account.coruscationA glittering flash or brilliant display.cremationDisposal of a dead body by burning it to ashes.damnationCondemnation to eternal religious punishment.decapitationThe act or result of cutting off a head.declarationA formal or official statement.dedicationCommitment of something to a particular purpose or person.defamationHarm to someone's reputation through false statements.deformationA change that distorts the shape or structure of something.degenerationGradual worsening in quality or condition.delectationGreat pleasure or enjoyment.delegationThe entrusting of representative authority to others.demonstrationA showing that makes something evident.demonstrationAn organized public gathering expressing opposition or support.denigrationUnfair criticism that makes someone or something seem less worthy.denominationA named category within a larger system.deportationThe forced removal of a person from a country or place.depredationDestruction or theft caused by attack or exploitation.deprivationHarmful lack or denial of something needed or normally available.derivationThe tracing of something from its source.designationAn official naming for a category or purpose.desolationBleak emptiness after loss or abandonment.desperationA state of distress that makes people feel they must do anything to escape it.destinationThe place someone or something is going to.determinationThe settling of a matter into a definite result.detonationAn explosion in which a reaction spreads through a shock wave.devastationOverwhelming destruction or ruin.dilapidationA state of severe disrepair or decay.dilatationThe widening or enlargement of something, especially a body passage or organ.discontinuationThe act of stopping something from continuing.discriminationThe making of distinctions between people or things.dislocationDisplacement from the normal arrangement.dispensationSpecial permission to be exempt from a rule or obligation.dispensationA religious system or period believed to be established by God.disseminationThe act of spreading something widely.dissertationA long scholarly study of a subject, especially one submitted for an advanced degree.dissimulationHiding one's true feelings or intentions.dissipationThe spreading or wasting away of something.dissociationThe separation of things formerly connected.distillationPurification through evaporation and condensation.divinationThe practice of seeking hidden knowledge or predicting the future through supernatural means.donationA gift given freely to help a person or cause, or the act of giving it.duplicationThe making or presence of a copy or repetition.durationThe length of time that something lasts.edificationInstruction that improves understanding or moral character.elaborationThe process or result of developing something in greater detail.elevationHeight or a rise above a reference level.elevationA drawing showing one face of a building.elongationThe process or result of becoming or making something longer.emanationSomething that flows or arises from a source.emancipationThe act of freeing someone from legal or social control.emigrationDeparture from a country or region to settle elsewhere.emulationImitating another in an effort to match its qualities or performance.enumerationThe act of listing or counting items individually, or the resulting list.enunciationClear and deliberate expression in speech.equivocationDeliberately unclear language used to avoid telling the truth or giving a direct answer.eradicationComplete removal or destruction of something unwanted.estimationA judgment of something's amount or worth.evacuationRemoval of the contents of a place or container.evaporationThe change of a liquid into vapor.evocationThe act of bringing a feeling, memory, or image to mind.exacerbationA worsening of a problem or medical condition.exaggerationA statement or portrayal that makes something seem greater than it really is.exaltationRaising someone to a position of great honor.examinationA careful investigation to obtain information or assess something.exasperationA feeling of intense irritation or frustrated impatience.excavationThe removal of earth by digging.excitationThe act or state of being stimulated into greater activity or energy.exclamationA sudden expression of strong feeling.excoriationScraping away or damaging the skin.exhalationThe release of breath from the lungs.exhilarationA feeling of lively excitement and joy.exhortationAn urgent appeal or strong encouragement to act.exhumationThe act of digging up something buried, especially a body.exonerationThe act of clearing someone of blame or guilt.expectationA belief about what will or should happen.explanationA statement that makes something understandable or gives its reason.explicationA detailed explanation or interpretation of something.explorationThe act of investigating something unknown to discover or understand it.expropriationThe taking of property from its owner, especially by a government.exterminationThe killing or complete destruction of an entire group.exultationGreat joy, especially at a success or victory.falsificationThe act of making something false or misleading.fascinationStrong interest or attraction that holds attention.federationA union formed by bringing separate bodies under common authority.fermentationThe breakdown of organic substances through microbial activity.fixationSustained concentration on a single point.flagellationThe act of whipping a person.formationThe shaping and organization of parts into a whole.fortificationThe strengthening of something against attack or damage.foundationThe supporting base on which a structure rests.foundationAn organization established to fund or support work for public benefit.foundationThe act of establishing something new.foundationA skin-colored cosmetic applied to even out the complexion.frustrationThe obstruction of an intended effort or desire.fumigationTreatment using poisonous gas, vapor, or smoke to kill pests.germinationThe beginning of growth from a seed or spore.glorificationThe act of presenting someone or something as admirable or worthy of great honor.gradationA gradual progression through degrees or levels.gratificationPleasure from having a desire or need fulfilled.habitationThe occupation of a place as a home.illuminationLight that reveals something to sight.illustrationA concrete representation that makes an idea clearer.imaginationThe mind's capacity to create representations beyond present reality.imitationThe act or result of copying someone or something.immolationKilling or destroying by fire as an act of sacrifice or protest.implicationSomething that follows from a fact or statement without being directly stated.inaugurationA formal beginning that puts something into operation.incantationWords spoken or chanted to create a magical or mesmerizing effect.incarcerationConfinement in prison or jail.incarnationA concrete bodily form in which something exists.incinerationDestruction or disposal by burning to ashes.inclinationA leaning toward a particular direction.inconsiderationFailure to give proper thought or attention to people or circumstances.incorporationThe combining of parts into an organized whole.incubationThe care of developing living material under supportive conditions.inculcationThe teaching of ideas or values through repetition.indicationEvidence pointing to a condition or appropriate action.indignationAnger at something seen as unfair or wrong.inebriationThe state of being drunk from alcohol.infatuationAn intense, often short-lived and unreasonable attraction to someone or something.infestationThe presence of pests in damaging numbers.informationFacts or knowledge communicated about something.inhalationThe drawing of air or another substance into the lungs.initiationThe first entry into a new undertaking.innovationThe creation or introduction of something new, or the new thing itself.inoculationControlled introduction of material that builds disease resistance.insinuationAn indirect suggestion of something negative or improper.inspirationAn influence that sparks creative ideas or motivation.inspirationThe act of drawing air into the lungs.installationThe setting of something in place for use.integrationThe joining of separate parts so they participate in one whole.integrationThe mathematical process of finding an integral.interpolationThe insertion of something between existing elements.interpretationA presentation of the meaning understood in something.interrogationFormal or persistent questioning to obtain information.intonationThe manner in which musical or spoken pitches are produced.intoxicationImpaired or altered awareness caused by alcohol or drugs.inundationThe overwhelming flooding of previously dry ground.investigationA careful inquiry to discover facts or establish the truth.invitationA request encouraging someone to participate.invocationA calling upon a power to act or provide support.irrigationThe controlled delivery of liquid over an area.irritationAn uncomfortable reaction to an unwanted stimulus.iterationA repetition or repeated stage in a process.jubilationGreat joy, especially after a success.justificationThe establishing of someone or something as right.lacerationA wound caused by cutting or tearing flesh.lamentationAn expression of grief or mourning.legationA diplomatic representation ranked below an embassy.libationA drink poured as an offering.liberationRelease from a confining or controlling bond.limitationA boundary restricting the extent of what is possible.litigationThe process of pursuing or defending a lawsuit in court.macerationThe softening of material through prolonged soaking.machinationA secret, crafty scheme intended to cause harm.magnificationAn increase in apparent size.manifestationA visible sign or concrete expression of something hidden or abstract.manifestationThe practice of focusing thoughts on a desired outcome in the belief that this will make it happen.meditationSustained reflective thought about a subject.meditationA practice of focusing the mind to develop calm or awareness.migrationRelocation from one inhabited region to another.misapplicationThe incorrect or improper use or allocation of something.mitigationThe act of making something less harmful or severe.moderationRegulation that restrains excess.modificationA change to something or the act of changing it.molestationAbusive sexual contact, especially with a child.mortificationExtreme embarrassment or humiliation.multiplicationAn increase in number or extent.mutationA change in form or nature.navigationPlanning or directing a route from place to place.negationThe denial of a statement or claim.negotiationDiscussion intended to reach an agreement.notationA system of written symbols used to represent information.notificationA notice bringing something to someone's attention.nullificationThe act of declaring something legally void or making it ineffective.obfuscationThe act or result of making something unclear or confusing.obliterationThe complete destruction or erasure of something.observationThe act of carefully watching or examining something.observationThe act of following a custom or rule.occupationAn activity that takes up a person's time and attention.occupationThe use or possession of a place.ordinationThe arrangement of things in a particular order.ordinationThe act or ceremony of appointing someone to the clergy.organizationAn arrangement of people or things into a coordinated whole.originationThe act or process of bringing something into existence.oscillationA repeated movement or change back and forth.osculationThe act of kissing.osculationContact between curves or surfaces at a point where their tangents agree.ovationEnthusiastic public applause or praise.pacificationThe act of restoring peace or control by calming unrest or suppressing resistance.palpationMedical examination by feeling the body with the hands.perforationPiercing holes through material.permutationA possible ordering of a set of things.perpetrationThe act of committing a crime or harmful deed.perturbationA disturbance that alters a system's state or motion.precipitationThe chemical process by which a solid separates from a solution.precipitationWater falling from the atmosphere as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.precipitationSudden action taken without enough care.predestinationThe belief that events are determined in advance, especially by divine will.predicationA stated basis or condition for action or reasoning.predicationThe act of asserting something about a subject.premeditationPlanning or consideration before an action, especially a crime.preoccupationAbsorption in a concern that occupies much of one's attention.preparationThe act of making ready for an intended purpose.preparationA substance made for a specific use.presentationThe act or manner of putting something before others.preservationThe act of keeping something safe from damage, decay, or loss.prevaricationSpeech that deliberately avoids telling the truth.privationA lack of basic necessities or comforts.probationA period of supervised trial during which conduct or suitability is assessed.proclamationAn official or emphatic public announcement.procrastinationThe act or habit of putting off tasks unnecessarily.profanationThe act of treating something sacred with disrespect.prognosticationA prediction about what will happen in the future.pronunciationThe way a word or sound is spoken.protestationAn emphatic declaration of a position or belief.provocationConduct that provokes a strong emotional reaction.pulsationA rhythmic beating or throbbing movement.punctuationWritten marks that separate and organize language.purificationThe removal of impurities or contaminants.qualificationSuitability established by meeting a requirement.quotationA passage or statement repeated from another source.ratificationFormal approval that makes an agreement or decision official.reclamationThe process of bringing something damaged or unusable into a usable condition.recommendationAdvice favoring a particular choice or action.reconciliationThe resolution of differences into agreement.recriminationAn accusation made in response to another accusation.rectificationThe process of putting something right.reformationA fundamental change intended to improve an established system.refrigerationCooling or preserving something by artificially lowering its temperature.refutationAn argument or act showing that a claim is false.regenerationRestoration to a renewed usable state.registrationThe official recording of someone or something as enrolled.registrationThe precise alignment of corresponding elements.rehabilitationRestoration of useful or accepted functioning.reiterationThe act of saying or doing something again.relaxationThe easing of tension toward a less strained state.remunerationPayment for work or services.renovationThe repair or improvement of a building or space.renunciationThe deliberate giving up or rejection of something.reparationThe making good of harm or damage.repatriationThe return of someone or something to the country of origin.representationThe act of standing for someone or something.reputationThe general opinion people have of someone or something.reservationThe setting aside of something for designated use.reservationA concern or condition that limits full acceptance.resignationThe formal act of leaving a job or position.respirationThe process by which cells release energy from nutrients.respirationThe process of exchanging gases between an organism and its environment.restorationThe returning of something to an earlier or rightful state.resuscitationThe act of restoring consciousness, breathing, or heartbeat.retaliationAction taken against someone in return for harm or an offense.retardationA delay or slowing in development or movement.revelationThe disclosure of previously hidden knowledge.reverberationThe continuation of sound through repeated echoes.revocationThe official cancellation of a right or decision.ruminationThe repeated chewing of food brought back from the stomach.salvationDeliverance from destructive danger.scintillationA sparkling flash of light or figurative brilliance.segregationThe act or practice of keeping people or things in separate groups.separationThe condition or act of becoming apart.simplificationThe act or result of making something easier or less complex.solicitationAn attempt to obtain something through an appeal.sophisticationA highly developed refinement beyond basic simplicity.specificationA precise description of required qualities or details.speculationForming ideas or judgments without definite knowledge.spoliationDestructive interference that lays something waste.stimulationThe act or process of encouraging activity or a response.strangulationDangerous constriction that cuts off vital flow.stratificationThe arrangement of something in successive layers.subjugationThe act of bringing someone under domination or the state of being dominated.subordinationPlacement under the authority of something higher.subornationThe act of persuading someone to commit perjury or another wrongful act.suffocationDistress or death caused by being unable to breathe.summationThe combining of contributions into an overall total.supplicationA humble, earnest request or prayer.syncopationRhythmic emphasis placed on normally weak beats or between beats.taxationThe imposition of government taxes.temptationAn urge or appealing thing that draws someone toward an unwise or indulgent choice.terminationThe end of something.titillationPleasurable stimulation of the senses, curiosity, or interest.transfigurationA striking transformation in outward form.transformationA change into a different form.transmigrationMovement from one place or body to another.transmutationA change from one form, substance, or nature into another.trepidationFearful anxiety about something that may happen.tribulationSerious trouble, suffering, or hardship.ulcerationDamage to body tissue that forms an open sore.undulationA smooth rise and fall like a wave.usurpationThe act of taking power or rights without lawful authority.vacationA break from work or school for rest or pleasure.variationA difference or modified form of something.venerationDeep respect or reverent honor.ventilationThe movement of fresh air through a space.verificationThe process of checking that something is true or meets requirements.vexationA feeling of annoyance or the act of causing it.vibrationRepeated back-and-forth movement.violationAn act that breaks a rule or infringes someone's rights.visitationAn occasion when someone comes to visit.vituperationHarsh, abusive criticism or verbal attack.vocationAn occupation felt to suit a person's abilities or purpose in life.