Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Encouragement \En*cour"age*ment\, n. [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.

Source : WordNet®

encouragement
     n 1: the expression of approval and support [ant: {discouragement}]
     2: the act of giving hope or support to someone [syn: {boost}]
     3: the feeling of being encouraged