stimulate definition - Dictionaries

Dictionary

stimulate [ stímmy layt ] (3rd person present singular stimulates, present participle stimulating, past and past participle stimulated)

transitive verb

Definition:

1. encourage something: to encourage something such as an activity or a process so that it will begin, increase, or develop

stimulate discussion

2. make somebody interested: to cause somebody to become interested in or excited about something

3. physiology cause body part to respond: to cause physical activity in something such as a nerve or an organ

[Early 16th century. < Latin stimulat-, past participle of stimulare 'to goad' < stimulus 'goad, stake']

stimulable adjective

stimulating adjective

stimulatingly adverb

stimulation [ stímmy láysh'n ] noun

stimulative [ stímmylətiv ] adjective

stimulator [ stímmy laytər ] noun

stimulatory [ stímmylətəri ] adjective