stimulant

noun

stim·​u·​lant ˈstim-yə-lənt 

1

: an agent (such as a drug) that produces a temporary increase of the functional activity or efficiency of an organism or any of its parts

2

: stimulus

3

: an alcoholic beverage

—not used technically

stimulant adjective

Synonyms

• incentive
• stimulus
• impetus
• encouragement
• motivation

Examples of stimulant in a Sentence

The movie was a stimulant to discussion.

the relaxed zoning regulations should serve as a stimulant for development in the area

Recent Examples on the Web

Feel Free Classic contains kava root, which is touted for its relaxing effects, and kratom, a plant native to Southeast Asia that’s known for its stimulant and opioid-like effects. —Claretta Bellamy, NBC news, 10 Aug. 2025

Those with scalp eczema, psoriasis, or seborrheic dermatitis should check with a dermatologist before using formulas with strong stimulants. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 7 Aug. 2025

Some products on the market may still contain DMAA and other unsafe stimulants or heavy metals. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 7 July 2025

Without a new stimulant, and with an economic cooling trend now evident in the data, there appears to be limited upside for the general indexes. —Robert Barone, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1728, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

stimulant

noun

stim·​u·​lant ˈstim-yə-lənt 

1

: something (as a drug) that temporarily increases the activity or efficiency of the body or one of its parts

a heart stimulant

2

: stimulus sense 1

stimulant adjective

Medical Definition

stimulant

noun

stim·​u·​lant ˈstim-yə-lənt 

1

: an agent (as a drug) that produces a temporary increase of the functional activity or efficiency of an organism or any of its parts

2

: stimulus sense 2