The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

-ation \-a"tion\ [L. -ationem. See -tion.]
   A suffix forming nouns of action, and often equivalent to the
   verbal substantive in -ing. It sometimes has the further
   meanings of state, and that which results from the action.
   Many of these nouns have verbs in -ate; as, alliterate
   -ation, narrate -ation; many are derived through the French;
   as, alteration, visitation; and many are formed on verbs
   ending in the Greek formative -ize (Fr. -ise); as,
   civilization, demoralization.
   [1913 Webster]