stimulus
An external phenomenon that has an influence on a system, by triggering or modifying an internal phenomenon; for example, a spur or incentive that drives a person to take action or change behaviour.
Other meanings
Something external that elicits or influences a physiological or psychological activity or response, or that affects any of the sensory apparatuses.
A stinging part on the body of a plant or insect.
Synonyms
- stimulation
- input
Related words
- antistimulus
- chemostimulus
- contrastimulus
- costimulus
- counterstimulus
- extrastimulus
- gravistimulus
- hyperstimulus
- interstimulus
- mechanostimulus
- microstimulus
- peristimulus
Where this comes from
This definition is adapted from “stimulus” on Wiktionary, by its contributors; related-word lists use Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0, based on Princeton WordNet), published under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page is published under the same licence.