stirs; stirred; stirring
1
: to mix (something) by making circular movements in it with a spoon or similar object
She stirred her coffee.
The cake batter must be stirred for 10 minutes.
Stir one cup of sugar into the batter.
2
: to move or cause (someone or something) to move after being still
She heard him stir (in bed). [=heard him begin to move in bed as he woke up]
He never stirred from the couch [=he stayed on the couch] all afternoon.
She was stirred from her sleep by the noise.
The breeze stirred the leaves on the tree.
3
a
: to be active or busy
We could see people stirring inside the shop.
"Not a creature was stirring"—
Clement Moore, "A Visit from Saint Nicholas" (1822)
Clement Moore, "A Visit from Saint Nicholas" (1822)
b
: to cause (someone or something) to be active
A good book can stir the imagination.
He stirred himself to action. [=he began to take action]
4
: to cause (an emotion or reaction)
The bad economic news has stirred anxiety among investors. [=has caused investors to worry]
—usually + upThe bad news has stirred up a lot of anxiety.
The story stirred up some deep emotions within him.
1
: a state of excitement, anger, or surprise among a group of people
His comments have caused quite a stir.
2
: a small movement
the stir of the leaves in the breeze
3
: the act of stirring something with a spoon or similar object
She gave the sauce a stir. [=she stirred the sauce]
4
chiefly US slang, old-fashioned
: prison
He spent five years in stir.
Cite this Entry
“Stir.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/stir. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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