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

Explanation

A stimulant is a drug that speeds up your body or an event that spurs you to action. Both types of stimulant get you going. You might drink coffee in the morning for a reason: the caffeine in coffee is a stimulant, which gives you energy and helps you wake up. Other stimulants are much more harmful, such as illegal drugs like cocaine, but all stimulants speed up your system. Also, a stimulant can be anything that arouses action. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, it was a stimulant that drove America into World War II.

Example Sentences

Stimulant medications may appear to help by imitating some effects of adequate sleep, while still leaving children exposed to the long term harms of chronic sleep loss.

From Science Daily • Dec. 29, 2025

Stimulant medications can elevate blood pressure by causing the heart to beat faster and with greater force.

From Science Daily • Mar. 27, 2024

Stimulant drugs are used to help children focus and pay attention better.

From Salon • Jul. 18, 2023

Stimulant medications that cause the colon to contract can also be used in some patients.

From US News • Jun. 29, 2016

I was on'y wondering if you'd been applying our Rosicrucian Stimulant, Sir, that's all.

From Punch, Or The London Charivari, Volume 102, March 19, 1892 by Various

Related Words

• catalyst
• drug
• impetus
• stimulus