First Known Use: 1684
Dictionary
stimulus
noun stim·u·lus \ˈstim-yə-ləs\
: something that causes something else to happen, develop, or become more active
: something that causes a change or a reaction
plural stim·u·li\-ˌlī, -ˌlē\
Full Definition of STIMULUS
See stimulus defined for English-language learners
See stimulus defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of STIMULUS
Latin
Related to STIMULUS
- Synonyms
- boost, encouragement, goad, impetus, incentive, incitation, incitement, instigation, momentum, motivation, provocation, spur, stimulant, impulse, yeast
- Antonyms
- counterincentive, disincentive
Rhymes with STIMULUS
STIMULI Defined for Kids
stimulus
noun stim·u·lus \ˈsti-myə-ləs\
plural stim·u·li \-ˌlī, -ˌlē\
Definition of STIMULUS for Kids
1
: something that stirs or urges to action <The reward was a stimulus for greater effort.>
2
: an influence that acts usually from outside the body to partly change bodily activity (as by exciting a receptor or sense organ) <Light, heat, and sound are common physical stimuli.>
Medical Dictionary
stimulus
noun stim·u·lus \ˈstim-yə-ləs\
plural stim·u·li \-ˌlī, -ˌlē\
Medical Definition of STIMULUS
1
: stimulant 1
2
: an agent (as an environmental change) that directly influences the activity of living protoplasm (as by exciting a sensory organ or evoking muscular contraction or glandular secretion) <a visual stimulus>
Learn More About STIMULUS
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: stimulus diffusionPrevious Word in the Dictionary: stimulogenousAll Words Near: stimulus
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up stimulus? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).