stimulation

American  

[stim-yuh-ley-shuhn] / ˌstɪm yəˈleɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of exciting a nerve, gland, etc., to its functional activity.

   The fungus is known to have diverse effects on the body, from stimulation of the nervous system to constriction of blood vessels.

2. something that arouses interest, inspiration, or incitement to action.

   Children, with their developing brains, love stimulation and novelty.

3. a cause or incitement.

   Improved rural-urban communication links often act as stimulation for the growth of local towns.

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Other Word Forms

• antistimulation noun
• hyperstimulation noun
• interstimulation noun
• nonstimulation noun
• overstimulation noun
• poststimulation adjective
• prestimulation noun
• restimulation noun
• self-stimulation noun
• superstimulation noun

Etymology

Origin of stimulation

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin stimulātiō “incentive”; equivalent to stimulate ( def. ) + -ion ( def. )

Example Sentences

In contrast, exposure to bright light allows the pupil to constrict in response to brightness rather than focusing distance, helping maintain healthier retinal stimulation.

From Science Daily

Yearning for a kind of abstract stimulation that even she can’t put into words, Camille is transfixed by her beloved chair.

From Salon

In the newsroom, current events and editors provided an onslaught of tasks that offered intellectual stimulation, variety and reliable gratification.

From The Wall Street Journal

In 2016, for example, she asked him about electrical muscle stimulation equipment that the club was considering offering.

From The Wall Street Journal

The stimulation guided the brain cells to align in repeating rhythms, either gamma or alpha oscillations.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• incentive
• stimulant