stimulus

[ stim-yuh-luhs ]

noun

, plural stim·u·li [stim, -y, uh, -lahy].

1. something that incites to action or exertion or quickens action, feeling, thought, etc.:

   The approval of others is a potent stimulus.

   Synonyms: provocation, motive, enticement, incitement

   Antonyms: discouragement

2. Physiology, Medicine/Medical. something that excites an organism or part to functional activity.

   Synonyms: stimulant

stimulus

/ ˈstɪmjʊləs /

noun

1. something that stimulates or acts as an incentive
2. any drug, agent, electrical impulse, or other factor able to cause a response in an organism
3. an object or event that is apprehended by the senses
4. See stimulant
   med a former name for stimulant

stimulus

/ stĭm′yə-ləs /

, Plural stimuli stĭm′yə-lī′

1. Physiology.
   Something that can elicit or evoke a physiological response in a cell, a tissue, or an organism. A stimulus can be internal or external. Sense organs, such as the ear, and sensory receptors, such as those in the skin, are sensitive to external stimuli such as sound and touch.
2. Something that has an impact or an effect on an organism so that its behavior is modified in a detectable way.
3. See more at classical conditioning

stimulus

1. plur. stimuli ( stim -yuh-leye) An action, condition, or person that provokes a response, especially a conditioned response .

Other Words From

• in·ter·stim·u·lus noun plural interstimuli
• post·stim·u·lus adjective
• pre·stim·u·lus noun plural prestimuli
• un·der·stim·u·lus noun plural understimuli

Word History and Origins

Origin of stimulus¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin: “a goad”

Word History and Origins

Origin of stimulus¹

C17: from Latin: a cattle goad

Example Sentences

Supporters of the president argue these trends are inevitable and the Stimulus made a terrible situation better.

From The Daily Beast

First, they let the stimulus boost expire, which that meant an average family of three receiving benefits lost $29 per month.

From The Daily Beast

It is “yo,” the absence of reason, the sound of a simply occupying and desperate stimulus.

From The Daily Beast

The stimulus, with its emphasis on public sector jobs, did little for Main Street.

From The Daily Beast

And still—an auto-bailout, a health care bill, a stimulus, the regular lifting of the debt ceiling, defense and budget deals.

From The Daily Beast

In the same way the technical form and mechanism of production were presumed to respond to an automatic stimulus.

From Project Gutenberg

In a strict sense, of course, no child's drawing is absolutely spontaneous and independent of external stimulus and guidance.

From Project Gutenberg

Some other stimulus to our Territorial recruiting than the fear of invasion will have to be invented in future.

From Project Gutenberg

British pasture farming was to be annihilated, and an immense stimulus given to that of our continental rivals.

From Project Gutenberg

What an agitation, and at the same time what an unhealthy stimulus to his over-sensibility!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• catalyst
• encouragement
• fillip
• impetus
• incentive
• motivation
• stimulant
• stimulation