stimulant

[stim-yuh-luhnt]

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.

adjective

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

2. stimulating.

stimulant

/ ˈstɪmjʊlənt /

noun

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

2. any stimulating agent or thing

adjective

1. increasing physiological activity; stimulating

stimulant

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

Other Word Forms

• antistimulant adjective
• nonstimulant noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of stimulant¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of stimulant¹

C18: from Latin stimulāns goading, from stimulāre to urge on; see _stimulus

Example Sentences

The researchers noted that the rise in fentanyl deaths involving stimulants in older adults began to sharply rise in 2020, while deaths linked to other substances stayed the same or declined.

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It has stimulant and narcotic effects, while datura is a poison that induces delirium and hallucinations.

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Treatment typically involved a prescription for a stimulant, such as Ritalin, but parents weren’t thrilled.

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So, Gomez sent them home with an antibiotic and an appetite stimulant.

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The drug has stimulant effects, in low doses, so people have reported feeling alert, physically energized and talkative, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• catalyst 
• drug 
• impetus 
• stimulus