arousal

noun

arous·​al ə-ˈrau̇-zəl 

plural arousals

1

: the act of arousing someone or something

arousal from sleep

This belated arousal of the hunting instinct seemed to make almost another man of him.

—Jack London

: the state of being aroused

His work with animals had implicated adrenaline and noradrenaline in emotional arousal and memory.

—Daniel Goleman

2

: a state of physiological and psychological excitation caused by sexual contact or other erotic stimulation

Studies show 60% of patients taking the drugs experience some form of sexual dysfunction, ranging from loss of desire to problems with arousal and an inability to reach orgasm.

—Tara Parker-Pope

Examples of arousal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Throughout months of hibernation, these 2-3 week periods of torpor are interspersed with one or two day bouts of arousal. —Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 28 Nov. 2024

Slow, mindful touch, foreplay, and focusing on building arousal can lead to more intense orgasms. —Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 7 Oct. 2024

Night terrors are partial arousal from deep sleep usually occurring within the first couple of hours after your child goes to sleep. —Lori Miller Kase, Parents, 30 Oct. 2024

At the center of the curve is what is referred to as optimal arousal and performance. —Caroline Castrillon, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

arouse + -al entry 2

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing arousal

• hyper-arousal

Medical Definition

arousal

noun

arous·​al ə-ˈrau̇-zəl 

1

a

: the act of arousing

arousal from sleep

b

: the state of being aroused

specifically : responsiveness to stimuli

… cells of the locus coeruleus, a brain center involved in maintaining attention and arousal …

—Science

2

: a state of physiological and psychological excitation caused by sexual contact or other erotic stimulation

Studies show 60% of patients taking the drugs experience some form of sexual dysfunction, ranging from loss of desire to problems with arousal …

—Tara Parker-Pope, The Wall Street Journal