stimulate

[ stim-yuh-leyt ]
/ ˈstɪm yəˌleɪt /

verb (used with object), stim·u·lat·ed, stim·u·lat·ing.

to rouse to action or effort, as by encouragement or pressure; spur on; incite: to stimulate his interest in mathematics.
Physiology, Medicine/Medical. to excite (a nerve, gland, etc.) to its functional activity.
to invigorate (a person) by a food or beverage containing a stimulant, as coffee, tea, or alcoholic liquor.

verb (used without object), stim·u·lat·ed, stim·u·lat·ing.

to act as a stimulus or stimulant.

Origin of stimulate

First recorded in 1540–50, stimulate is from the Latin word stimulātus (past participle of stimulāre to goad). See stimulus, -ate1

synonym study for stimulate

1. See animate.

OTHER WORDS FROM stimulate

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH stimulate

activate actuate stimulate

Example sentences from the Web for stimulation

British Dictionary definitions for stimulation

stimulate
/ (ˈstɪmjʊˌleɪt) /

verb

(tr; usually passive) to fill (a person) with ideas or enthusiasm he was stimulated by the challenge
(tr) physiol to excite (a nerve, organ, etc) with a stimulus
to encourage (something) to start or progress further a cut in interest rates should help stimulate economic recovery

Derived forms of stimulate

stimulable, adjective stimulation, noun stimulative, adjective, noun stimulator or stimulater, noun

Word Origin for stimulate

C16: from Latin stimulāre; see stimulant

Medical definitions for stimulation (1 of 2)

stimulation
[ stĭm′yə-lāshən ]

n.

Arousal of the body or of individual organs or other parts to increased functional activity.
The condition of being stimulated.
The application of a stimulus to a responsive structure, such as a nerve or muscle, regardless of whether the strength of the stimulus is sufficient to produce excitation.

Medical definitions for stimulation (2 of 2)

stimulate
[ stĭmyə-lāt′ ]

v.

To arouse a body or a responsive structure to increased functional activity.