stimulate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb act as a stimulant
    excite.
    • The book stimulated her imagination
    • This play stimulates
  2. verb cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner
    get; make; induce; have; cause.
    • The ads induced me to buy a VCR
    • My children finally got me to buy a computer
    • My wife made me buy a new sofa
  3. verb stir the feelings, emotions, or peace of
    stir; shake up; excite; shake.
    • These stories shook the community
    • the civil war shook the country
  4. verb cause to be alert and energetic
    energize; arouse; energise; perk up; brace.
    • Coffee and tea stimulate me
    • This herbal infusion doesn't stimulate
  5. verb cause to occur rapidly
    rush; hasten; induce.
    • the infection precipitated a high fever and allergic reactions
  6. verb stir feelings in
    stir; excite.
    • stimulate my appetite
    • excite the audience
    • stir emotions
  7. verb provide the needed stimulus for
    provoke.

WordNet

Stim"u*late transitive verb
Etymology
L. stimulatus, p.p. of stimulare to prick or goad on, to incite, fr. stimulus a goad. See Stimulus.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Stimulated ; present participle & verbal noun Stimulating
Definitions
  1. To excite as if with a goad; to excite, rouse, or animate, to action or more vigorous exertion by some pungent motive or by persuasion; as, to stimulate one by the hope of reward, or by the prospect of glory.
    To excite and stimulate us thereunto. Dr. J. Scott.
  2. (Physiol.) To excite; to irritate; especially, to excite the activity of (a nerve or an irritable muscle), as by electricity. Syn. -- To animate; incite; encourage; impel; urge; instigate; irritate; exasperate; incense.

Webster 1913