excitation

noun

ex·​ci·​ta·​tion ˌek-ˌsī-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce excitation (audio) ˌek-sə- How to pronounce excitation (audio)
: excitement
especially : the disturbed or altered condition resulting from stimulation of an individual, organ, tissue, or cell

Examples of excitation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web So that actually breaks the symmetry of the propagation of the excitation. Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 12 July 2023 The pulsed acoustic pressure wave may locally shift the balance of excitation and inhibition by acting on mechanically sensitive components of the brain, including cell membranes, ion channels and synaptic vesicle cycles (1). Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 9 Feb. 2014 The quasiparticles, a concept the Department of Energy says helps scientists describe the patterns that emerge when subatomic particles interact in huge numbers, are collective excitations of many electrons in solid devices. Julia Musto, Fox News, 10 May 2023 These particles dump energy into the atoms, moving the electrons up in energy (called excitation). Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 29 Jan. 2012 Consistent with the predictions of excitation transfer theory, for males and females riding with a nonromantic partner, ratings of attractiveness and dating desirability toward the photographed individual were higher among persons exiting than entering the ride. Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 12 Mar. 2012 In particular, the electron can be thought of as an excitation in a quantum field known as the Dirac field, and this field may be what carries the spin of the electron. Adam Becker, Scientific American, 22 Nov. 2022 Baker said the oldest explanation is the inhibition/excitation balance theory — which means their brains may get overexcited when faced with some form of stimulation. Megan Schmidt, Discover Magazine, 14 Dec. 2018 Infrared excitation in the copper sulfide creates hot electrons and holes, which are injected into the cadmium sulfide and recombine to emit high-energy light in the visible region. IEEE Spectrum, 30 Dec. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'excitation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of excitation was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near excitation

Cite this Entry

“Excitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excitation. Accessed 26 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

excitation

noun
ex·​ci·​ta·​tion ˌek-ˌsī-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce excitation (audio)
ˌek-sə-
: excitement sense 1
especially : the activity or change in condition resulting from stimulation of an individual, organ, tissue, or cell

Medical Definition

excitation

noun
ex·​ci·​ta·​tion ˌek-ˌsī-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce excitation (audio) ˌek-sə- How to pronounce excitation (audio)
: excitement: as
a
: the disturbed or altered condition resulting from arousal of activity (as by neural or electrical stimulation) in an individual organ or tissue
b
: the arousing of such activity

More from Merriam-Webster on excitation

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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