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 stimulated

British Dictionary definitions for stimulated

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 stimulated

stimulate
[ stĭmyə-lāt′ ]

v.

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