encouragementn.[Cf. F. encouragement.]1. The act of encouraging; incitement to action or to practice; as, the encouragement of youth in generosity.()All generous encouragement of arts. (Otway.)2. That which serves to incite, support, promote, or advance, as favor, countenance, reward, etc.; incentive; increase of confidence; as, the fine arts find little encouragement among a rude people.()To think of his paternal care,
Is a most sweet encouragement to prayer. (Byron.)