habituation

[huh-bich-oo-ey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of habituating.

2. the condition of being habituated.

3. physiological tolerance to or psychological dependence on a drug, short of addiction.

4. reduction of psychological or behavioral response occurring when a specific stimulus occurs repeatedly.

habituation

1. The gradual decline of a response to a stimulus resulting from repeated exposure to the stimulus.

2. Physiological tolerance for a drug resulting from repeated use.

3. Psychological dependence on a drug resulting from repeated use.

Word History and Origins

Origin of habituation¹

1400–50; late Middle English. See habituate, -ion

Related Words

• frequency 
• repetition