habituation

noun

ha·​bit·​u·​a·​tion hə-ˌbi-chə-ˈwā-shən 

ha-,

-chü-ˈā-

1

: the process of habituating : the state of being habituated

2

a

: tolerance to the effects of a drug acquired through continued use

b

: psychological dependence on a drug after a period of use compare addiction

3

: decrease in responsiveness upon repeated exposure to a stimulus

Examples of habituation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But in both cases, the same truth applies: habituation dulls the senses, while novelty reignites them. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

The final layer, embodiment and habituation, and how to implement them, completes the picture. —Benjamin Voyer, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025

Moreover, the use of non-domesticated species without adequate habituation to human presence often results in a breakdown. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025

Prolonged exposure therapy helps patients reduce their emotional responses to traumatic memories through habituation and extinction. —Big Think, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for habituation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Medical Definition

habituation

noun

ha·​bit·​u·​a·​tion -ˌbich-ə-ˈwā-shən 

1

: the act or process of making habitual or accustomed

2

a

: tolerance to the effects of a drug acquired through continued use

b

: psychological dependence on a drug after a period of use compare addiction

3

: a form of nonassociative learning characterized by a decrease in responsiveness upon repeated exposure to a stimulus compare sensitization sense 3