stimulation

[stim-yuh-ley-shuhn]

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of stimulation¹

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

Example Sentences

He pointed to a transcranial magnetic stimulation device, a small handheld machine that has been proven effective in treating depression by boosting helpful brain activity and reducing harmful brain patterns.

From Los Angeles Times

“Is this just sensory stimulation? Is this gesturing at the numinous? Is this referencing the mystical? There’s no meta-narrative here.”

From Los Angeles Times

I was constantly looking outside myself for both stimulation and sedation.

From Los Angeles Times

“For these cognitive benefits, it’s not about liking the interaction. It’s something deeper. It’s how we process natural stimulation.”

From Los Angeles Times

Though Ni-Ki is aware his childhood was not the norm, he says he received a lot of mental stimulation that helped him develop into the person he is now.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• incentive 
• stimulant