noun
stimulus
STIHM-yuh-luhs
noun
1
Something that triggers a reaction or response.
"A loud noise can act as a stimulus for a startled reaction."
"The government announced a stimulus package to boost the economy."
How to Use Stimulus
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAnything that sets off a reaction, from a nerve response to an economic boost.
Common mistake
The plural is "stimuli", not "stimuluses".
Easily confused with
Word Forms
stimuluses plural, stimuli plural
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A loud noise can act as a _____ for a startled reaction.
Etymology
Borrowed directly from Latin stimulus, meaning "goad" or "prick" — the thing used to spur an ox forward.