The act of encouraging; incitement to action or to practice; as, the encouragement of youth in generosity. All generous encouragement of arts. Otway. 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.