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

About 9% had what is called prescription stimulant use disorder, or addiction. —Linda Carroll, NBC News, 19 Mar. 2025

Ghrelin, an appetite stimulant, rises when you are sleep-deprived, and leptin decreases. —Judy Stone, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025

Restrictions have also often included the ban of the herbal stimulant kratom. —Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025

The executive order also mentioned stimulants, which is a class of medications used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 20 Feb. 2025

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