excitation

American  

[ek-sahy-tey-shuhn, -si-] / ˌɛk saɪˈteɪ ʃən, -sɪ- /

noun

1. the act of exciting.

2. the state of being excited.

3. Electricity.

   1. the application of voltage to an electric device, as an electron-tube circuit, an antenna, or a dynamotor, often for producing a magnetic field in the device.

   2. the voltage applied.

4. Physics. a process in which a molecule, atom, nucleus, or particle is excited.

5. Also called drive.  Electronics. the varying voltage applied to the control electrode of a vacuum tube.

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excitation British  

/ ˌɛksɪˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of exciting or state of being excited

2. a means of exciting or cause of excitement

3. 1. the current in a field coil of a generator, motor, etc, or the magnetizing current in a transformer

   2. ( as modifier )

      an excitation current

4. the action of a stimulus on an animal or plant organ, inducing it to respond

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excitation Scientific  

/ ĕk′sī-tā′shən /

1. The activity produced in an organ, tissue, or cell of the body that is caused by stimulation, especially by a nerve or neuron.

2. Compare inhibition

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Other Word Forms

• preexcitation
  noun
• superexcitation
  noun

Etymology

Origin of excitation

1350–1400; Middle English excitacioun < Late Latin excitātiōn- (stem of excitātiō ), equivalent to Latin excitāt ( us ) (past participle of excitāre; see excite) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

excitation

These atoms have a “resonance” with the photons, meaning the energy of the photon can be transferred temporarily to the atoms as an atomic excitation.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 4, 2026

The results point to several possible targets for future treatments, including mTOR pathway activity, the organization of brain networks, and the balance of excitation among neurons.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 25, 2026

"This points toward new therapeutic targets like sensory circuit neuromodulation or balancing neuronal inhibition and excitation, rather than toward rapamycin itself as a treatment," Harris said.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 25, 2026

Under normal conditions, each photon produces only one spin-singlet exciton after excitation.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 28, 2026

Mr. Gitney and Mr. Sharpe sat across from us, clearly disordered by an excitation of nerves almost as extreme as my own.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson