Stimulation

ˌstɪmjʊˈleɪʃən

nounmedium📊CommonMedical
2 meanings3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

The act of causing something to become more active or to develop.

ˌstɪmjʊˈleɪʃən

nounneutralmedium
Medical

The action of raising levels of physiological or nervous activity in part of the body or a cell.

The constant stimulation of the city can be overwhelming.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're building a LEGO castle, and your friend keeps adding cool pieces and ideas. Their additions are like stimulation, making your castle even better and more fun to build!

👶 For kids: When something helps your body or brain do more, like when a fun game makes you excited!

More Examples

2

The doctor recommended regular sensory stimulation for the patient.

3

The company needs new ideas to provide market stimulation.

How It's Used

Medical

"Electrical stimulation is used to treat chronic pain."

Psychology

"Sensory stimulation can affect behavior."

2

Something that causes interest or excitement; an incentive.

ˌstɪmjʊˈleɪʃən

nounneutralmedium
General

Something that encourages activity.

The government introduced tax cuts to provide economic stimulation.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're a chef, and a new spicy ingredient sparks new ideas for exciting dishes. That ingredient acts like stimulation, encouraging you to create something awesome!

👶 For kids: Something that gets you excited or makes you want to do something.

More Examples

2

The vibrant music provided a great deal of stimulation to the dancers.

3

The new technology provided a needed stimulation to the sluggish industry.

How It's Used

Business

"Government policies provided stimulation to the economy during the recession."

Art/Entertainment

"The artist uses vivid colors to provide visual stimulation."

Tip:Think of a *stimulus* (singular) being a thing that increases activity.

From Latin *stimulatio*, meaning "a goading, inciting," from *stimulare* "to goad, prick, incite," from *stimulus* "a goad, goading stick."

The word 'stimulation' has been used since the early 17th century, initially in medical contexts to refer to the act of exciting the body.

Memory tip

Think of a *stimuli* (plural of stimulus) causing action.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"goad, prick, incite"

sensory stimulationbrain stimulationeconomic stimulationelectrical stimulationvisual stimulation

Common misspellings

stimulasionstimulatianstimilation

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written