excitation

noun

ex·​ci·​ta·​tion ˌek-ˌsī-ˈtā-shən  ˌek-sə- 

: excitement

especially : the disturbed or altered condition resulting from stimulation of an individual, organ, tissue, or cell

Examples of excitation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Swirling and reaching into the sky, the Shakers sought to expunge their sins and find communion with God, but what is the difference between exorcism and excitation? —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025

The device uses a three-photon excitation method, firing ultrashort light bursts at triple the molecule’s normal absorption wavelength. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2025

Up close, Orlik’s excitations have a mesmerizing, machinelike quality—alive and detached at the same time. —Sam Knight, New Yorker, 17 June 2025

This is the state with no extra energy added to it, no extra vibrations, no extra excitations whatsoever — just the lowest possible ground state, below which there is nothing. —Paul Sutter, Space.com, 9 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for excitation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

excitation

noun

ex·​ci·​ta·​tion ˌek-ˌsī-ˈtā-shən 

ˌek-sə-

: excitement sense 1

especially : the activity or change in condition resulting from stimulation of an individual, organ, tissue, or cell

Medical Definition

excitation

noun

ex·​ci·​ta·​tion ˌek-ˌsī-ˈtā-shən  ˌek-sə- 

: excitement: as

a

: the disturbed or altered condition resulting from arousal of activity (as by neural or electrical stimulation) in an individual organ or tissue

b

: the arousing of such activity