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: Compare depressant ( def 4 ).

   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

/ 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.

Other Words From

• anti·stimu·lant adjective noun
• non·stimu·lant noun adjective

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

Some of the most commonly faked drugs include opioids such as Oxycontin, Percocet, Vicodin, and Xanax, as well as stimulants used to treat ADHD like Adderall, counterfeit versions of which can contain pure meth.

From The Daily Beast

This time, he and his colleagues analyzed 17 brands of sports and weight-loss supplements sold in the United States, and they detected nine prohibited stimulants in them.

From Washington Post

Almost half of the brands tested included more than one prohibited stimulant.

From Washington Post

In France, ibogaine was sold and prescribed as an antidepressant and stimulant called Lambarene for more than 30 years until the 1960s, when the government outlawed the sale of ibogaine.

From Time

In a 2017 mouse study, for example, wounds healed faster in animals that were previously exposed to an inflammatory stimulant.

From Quanta Magazine

Then there is the nicotine: a stimulant that for the addict also has the added effect of calming the nerves.

From The Daily Beast

What's interesting about the study's finding is that it dodges the trap that snares much of the research on stimulant medication.

From The Daily Beast

Because cigarettes can be either a stimulant or a relaxant, the game has two modes.

From The Daily Beast

For a fuller effect, try a cup of coffee on the side, as caffeine is a traditional and effective stimulant.

From The Daily Beast

This is bad news, since cortisol also acts as an appetite stimulant.

From The Daily Beast

Niopo is a powerful stimulant, a small portion of it producing violent sneezing in persons unaccustomed to its use.

From Project Gutenberg

As, during the whole pepper-harvest, they feed wholly on this stimulant, they become exceedingly irritable.

From Project Gutenberg

Taken internally, camphor is a nerve stimulant, a diaphoretic and a feeble antipyretic.

From Project Gutenberg

But to Charity the heat was a stimulant: it enveloped the whole world in the same glow that burned at her heart.

From Project Gutenberg

The stick, or whip, is needed rather to indicate the precise movement desired, than as a stimulant or means of punishment.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• catalyst
• drug
• impetus
• stimulus