stimulate

[ stim-yuh-leyt ]

verb (used with object)

, stim·u·lat·ed, stim·u·lat·ing.

1. to rouse to action or effort, as by encouragement or pressure; spur on; incite:

   A childhood summer learning program was the first thing to stimulate his interest in mathematics.

   Synonyms: excite, activate, arouse

2. Physiology, Medicine/Medical. to excite (a nerve, gland, etc.) to its functional activity.
3. to invigorate (a person) by a food or beverage containing a stimulant such as coffee or tea.

verb (used without object)

, stim·u·lat·ed, stim·u·lat·ing.

1. to act as a stimulus or stimulant.

stimulate

/ ˈstɪmjʊˌleɪt /

verb

1. tr; usually passive to fill (a person) with ideas or enthusiasm

   he was stimulated by the challenge

2. tr physiol to excite (a nerve, organ, etc) with a stimulus
3. to encourage (something) to start or progress further

   a cut in interest rates should help stimulate economic recovery

Derived Forms

• ˈstimulative, adjectivenoun
• ˈstimulable, adjective
• ˌstimuˈlation, noun
• ˈstimuˌlator, noun

Other Words From

• stim·u·la·ble adjective
• stim·u·la·bil·i·ty [stim-y, uh, -l, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], noun
• stim·u·la·tion [stim-y, uh, -, ley, -sh, uh, n], noun
• stim·u·la·tor stim·u·lat·er noun
• in·ter·stim·u·late verb (used with object) interstimulated interstimulating
• non·stim·u·la·ble adjective
• o·ver·stim·u·late verb overstimulated overstimulating
• pre·stim·u·late verb (used with object) prestimulated prestimulating
• re·stim·u·late verb (used with object) restimulated restimulating
• self-stim·u·lat·ed adjective
• su·per·stim·u·late verb (used with object) superstimulated superstimulating
• un·stim·u·la·ble adjective
• un·stim·u·lat·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of stimulate¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin stimulāt(us) “goaded” (past participle of stimulāre “to goad, incite,” from stimulus stimulus ( def ) ); -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of stimulate¹

C16: from Latin stimulāre; see stimulant

Synonym Study

See animate.

Example Sentences

Instructional materials and approaches that motivate, stimulate, and engage students.

From The Daily Beast

“How [increased blood return] would stimulate the completely quiescent myocardium … is not readily apparent,” he wrote.

From The Daily Beast

Cool OffIn addition to freshening up your face and body, showers can help stimulate the circulatory system and metabolism.

From The Daily Beast

They actually stimulate alternative thinking and the development of new outlets.

From The Daily Beast

We were going to stimulate and grow and get back to positive growth and work with our friends and partners.

From The Daily Beast

Job-finding committees were organized in many sections of the state to stimulate re-employment.

From Project Gutenberg

Adolescents listening to the latest songs stimulate the demand for popular sheet music.

From Project Gutenberg

Wherefore Bud had deliberately done what he could do to stimulate and emphasize both the surprise and the gratification.

From Project Gutenberg

We want to stimulate the expression of life through art and literature, and its exploration through research.

From Project Gutenberg

The explorer makes many discoveries—some that stimulate and surprise, some that puzzle and depress.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• arouse
• encourage
• inspire
• prompt
• quicken
• spark
• spur
• trigger
• vitalize