stimulation

Everyday

1. Stimulation is making something more active, or the thing that does it: the stimulation of a muscle, of growth. tree →
2. Stimulation is something that makes the mind busy and interested: "Children need play and stimulation." tree →
3. (science) In biology, stimulation is when a nerve, sense or cell is made to react, for example by light, sound, touch or electricity. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons it appears with the nervous system and senses. In everyday life parents and teachers talk about "mental stimulation" and babies needing stimulation to learn. Too much stimulation (noise, screens, lights) can make people tired or upset: "overstimulation". Phrases: "mental stimulation", "lack of stimulation", "electrical stimulation".

Examples

• Babies need lots of stimulation from talking and play. tree →
• Reading gives the brain good stimulation. tree →
• Bored pets need more stimulation, like toys and walks. tree →
• Electrical stimulation can help weak muscles. tree →
• The noisy party was too much stimulation for the toddler. tree →
• Puzzles provide mental stimulation for older people. tree →
• The eye reacts to stimulation by light. tree →

Note

Usually uncountable. Verb: stimulate; related: stimulus, stimuli. "Overstimulation" means too much at once.