excitement

noun

ex·​cite·​ment ik-ˈsīt-mənt 

1

: something that excites or rouses

2

: the action of exciting : the state of being excited

Synonyms

• incitation
• incitement
• instigation
• provocation

Examples of excitement in a Sentence

Our excitement was building as the end of the game approached.

His hands shook with excitement.

The child cried out in excitement.

a trip filled with excitement and adventure

She talked about the excitements of her new life.

This job loses its excitement after a while.

Recent Examples on the Web

In the oil industry, there is excitement about Trump’s drill-baby-drill ethos. —Matt Egan, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025

Kamiya's feelings are understandable, as leakers often kill any excitement for product reveals while derailing the plans of marketing departments. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025

However, this week’s surge showcases the underlying excitement from investors as Trump readies for his second term. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2025

Over the generations, this BMW has become a performance car icon, beloved for its seamless, often peerless ability to not just accomplish both mundane daily tasks and full-throated driving excitement, but to bring a little delight into the former and a little practicality to the latter. —Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 16 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing excitement

• hyper-excitement
• tingle with excitement

Kids Definition

excitement

noun

ex·​cite·​ment ik-ˈsīt-mənt 

1

: something that excites

2

: the state of being excited : agitation

Medical Definition

excitement

noun

ex·​cite·​ment -ˈsīt-mənt 

1

: the act of exciting

2

: the state of being excited: as

a

: aroused, augmented, or abnormal activity of an organism or functioning of an organ or part

b

: extreme motor hyperactivity (as in catatonic schizophrenia or bipolar disorder)