stimulant

American  

[stim-yuh-luhnt] / ˈstɪm yə lənt /

noun

1. Physiology, Medicine/Medical. something that temporarily quickens some vital process or the functional activity of some organ or part.

   Adrenalin is a stimulant for the heart.

2. any food or beverage that stimulates, especially coffee, tea, or, in its initial effect, alcoholic liquor.

3. a stimulus or incentive.

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adjective

1. Physiology, Medicine/Medical. temporarily quickening some vital process or functional activity.

2. stimulating.

stimulant British  

/ ˈstɪmjʊlənt /

noun

1. a drug or similar substance that increases physiological activity, esp of a particular organ

2. any stimulating agent or thing

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adjective

1. increasing physiological activity; stimulating

stimulant Scientific  

/ stĭm′yə-lənt /

1. An agent, especially a drug, that causes increased activity, especially of the nervous or cardiovascular systems. Caffeine is a commonly used stimulant.

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Other Word Forms

• antistimulant adjective
• nonstimulant noun

Etymology

Origin of stimulant

First recorded in 1720–30, stimulant is from the Latin word stimulant- (stem of stimulāns, present participle of stimulāre to goad). See stimulus, -ant

Example Sentences

“It is a terrific stimulant of a sense of urgency.”

From Barron's

"I've tried antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, benzos, sleeping pills and stimulants, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy... tai chi, reiki, meditation, veganism, art therapy and music therapy," the former stand-up comedian said.

From Barron's

Current treatments for attention disorders typically increase excitatory signaling in prefrontal brain circuits using stimulant medications.

From Science Daily

For decades, stimulant medications have been thought to work by directly influencing brain regions responsible for attention.

From Science Daily

OpenAI noted that the woman in the case study said she was prone to “magical thinking,” and was on an antidepressant and a stimulant and had gone long stretches without sleep before her hospitalizations.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• catalyst
• drug
• impetus
• stimulus