excitation

noun

ex·​ci·​ta·​tion ˌek-ˌsī-ˈtā-shən  ˌek-sə- 

: 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

But the right balance between excitation and inhibition gives us a nice, clear information signal in the brain. —Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 23 May 2024

So the brain generates information through excitation, but is tuned and becomes functional through inhibition. —Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 23 May 2024

And so the great balancing act within the brain is usually managed mostly by the interplay of GABA for inhibition and glutamate for excitation. —Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 23 May 2024

And if the atom is currently interacting with another, this excitation frequency shifts slightly so that the electron won’t resonate with the light and won’t be able to make the jump. —Philip Ball, Quanta Magazine, 25 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

excitation

noun

ex·​ci·​ta·​tion ˌek-ˌsī-ˈtā-shən 

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  ˌek-sə- 

: 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