Excitation
/ˌɛksaɪˈteɪʃən/
Definitions
2 meaningsThe act of arousing or stimulating someone or something.
/ˌɛksaɪˈteɪʃən/
The act of arousing or stimulating something.
The scientist observed the excitation of electrons in the atom.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're trying to get a puppy to play. The excitement you build up to get it going is excitation. It's like getting something stirred up, whether it's a machine, a feeling, or even a reaction in your body!
👶 For kids: It's like waking something up! Like when you are excited to play a game, you have an excitation feeling
More Examples
The band's performance caused a wave of excitement and excitation in the crowd.
Electrical stimulation can cause excitation in nerve cells.
How It's Used
"The excitation of a molecule with light can lead to a chemical reaction."
"The study focused on the excitation of the brain regions during emotional responses."
The state of being aroused, activated, or stimulated; the act or process of causing this state.
/ˌɛksaɪˈteɪʃən/
The state of being aroused or stimulated.
The lecture caused a wave of excitement and excitation among the students.
💡 Simply: It's the feeling you get when you're all fired up about something! Like when you're so excited about going to a concert that you can barely sit still. That's excitation!
👶 For kids: It's when something is turned on or made to work, like when a toy's batteries make it go!
More Examples
The engine's excitation was at its peak during the race.
The drug caused excitation of the nervous system.
How It's Used
"Increased blood flow contributes to the state of excitation after exercise."
"The engine's excitation was measured during the test."
From Late Latin *excitatio*, from the verb *excitare* meaning 'to arouse, stimulate', from *ex-* (out) + *citare* (to summon, to put in motion).
The term 'excitation' has been used since the 17th century, initially in a general sense of incitement or stimulation, later taking on more specialized meanings in science and engineering.
Memory tip
Think of an excited person; excitation is the process that makes them that way.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: citare (to summon, put in motion)
Prefix: ex- (out)