stimulate
[ stim-yuh-leyt ]
/ ˈstɪm yəˌleɪt /
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verb (used with object), stim·u·lat·ed, stim·u·lat·ing.
to rouse to action or effort, as by encouragement or pressure; spur on; incite: to stimulate his interest in mathematics.
Physiology, Medicine/Medical. to excite (a nerve, gland, etc.) to its functional activity.
to invigorate (a person) by a food or beverage containing a stimulant as coffee, tea, or alcoholic liquor.
verb (used without object), stim·u·lat·ed, stim·u·lat·ing.
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Origin of stimulate
First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin stimulāt(us) (past participle of stimulāre “to goad”); see -ate1
synonym study for stimulate
1. See animate.
OTHER WORDS FROM stimulate
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH stimulate
activate, stimulateDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use stimulate in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for stimulate
stimulate
/ (ˈstɪmjʊˌleɪt) /
verb
(tr; usually passive) to fill (a person) with ideas or enthusiasmhe was stimulated by the challenge
(tr) physiol to excite (a nerve, organ, etc) with a stimulus
to encourage (something) to start or progress furthera cut in interest rates should help stimulate economic recovery
Derived forms of stimulate
stimulable, adjectivestimulation, nounstimulative, adjective, nounstimulator or stimulater, nounWord Origin for stimulate
C16: from Latin stimulāre; see stimulant
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Medical definitions for stimulate
stimulate
[ stĭm′yə-lāt′ ]
v.
To arouse a body or a responsive structure to increased functional activity.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.