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

• boost
• encouragement
• goad
• impetus
• impulse
• incentive
• incitation
• incitement
• instigation
• momentum
• motivation
• provocation
• spur
• stimulus
• yeast

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

Caffeine is a stimulant that can be naturally found in coffee and tea. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

But fentanyl and stimulants are both white powders. —Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024

This includes the misuse of alcohol and stimulants, like cocaine or methamphetamines. —Jessica Van Egeren, Journal Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2024

There are no equivalent medications, however, for people who are dependent on methamphetamine or other stimulants, Dawson said. —Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2024

Triggers of palpitations can include stress, anxiety, hormonal changes or stimulants like caffeine. —Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 14 Feb. 2024

She was found to be under the influence of a stimulant and placed under arrest. —Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2024

Other reports show that stimulants, mostly methamphetamine, are increasingly involved in fentanyl overdoses. —Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2024

Prescriptions for stimulants jumped by more than 10% in some age groups between 2020 and 2021, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. —Angela Roberts, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2024

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