stimulus
noun
stim·u·lus
ˈstim-yə-ləs 
plural stimuli
ˈstim-yə-ˌlī
-ˌlē
-ˌlē
: something that rouses or incites to activity: such as
a
c
: an agent (such as an environmental change) that directly influences the activity of a living organism or one of its parts (as by exciting a sensory organ or evoking muscular contraction or glandular secretion)
Synonyms
Examples of stimulus in a Sentence
The pay raise was a stimulus for production.
Heat and light are physical stimuli.
The dog responded to the stimulus of the ringing bell.
Recent Examples on the Web
November’s China Brief from McKinsey & Company highlights a number of low-level indicators (from economic stimulus measures to property transactions) that show consumption has gained some momentum in recent months.
—
Gemma A. Williams, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
Here's what experts say about the chances of another stimulus check
What does Spirit Airlines' bankruptcy mean for you?
5 ways to tackle your credit card debt before the holidays
Want to have your credit card debt forgiven?
—Kate Gibson, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2024
Editor's note: This story has been changed to reflect that stimulus checks came under both the Trump and Biden presidencies.
—Dave Boucher, Detroit Free Press, 7 Nov. 2024
Meanwhile, pandemic relief, including stimulus checks, did start during the Trump administration and helped reduce poverty rates.
—Eli Hager, ProPublica, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stimulus 
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Gemma A. Williams, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
Here's what experts say about the chances of another stimulus check
What does Spirit Airlines' bankruptcy mean for you?
5 ways to tackle your credit card debt before the holidays
Want to have your credit card debt forgiven?
—Kate Gibson, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2024
Editor's note: This story has been changed to reflect that stimulus checks came under both the Trump and Biden presidencies.
—Dave Boucher, Detroit Free Press, 7 Nov. 2024
Meanwhile, pandemic relief, including stimulus checks, did start during the Trump administration and helped reduce poverty rates.
—Eli Hager, ProPublica, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stimulus
Articles Related to stimulus
Dictionary Entries Near stimulus
Cite this Entry
“Stimulus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stimulus. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stimulus
noun
stim·u·lus
ˈstim-yə-ləs
plural stimuli
-ˌlī
-ˌlē
1
: something that rouses or stirs to action : incentive
2
: something (as an environmental change) that acts to partly change bodily activity (as by exciting a sensory organ)
heat, light, and sound are common physical stimuli
Medical Definition
stimulus
noun
stim·u·lus
ˈstim-yə-ləs
2
: an agent (as an environmental change) that directly influences the activity of living protoplasm (as by exciting a sensory organ or evoking muscular contraction or glandular secretion)
a visual stimulus
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