arousal

noun

arous·​al ə-ˈrau̇-zəl How to pronounce arousal (audio)
plural arousals
1
: the act of arousing someone or something
arousal from sleep
This belated arousal of the hunting instinct seemed to make almost another man of him.Jack London
: the state of being aroused
His work with animals had implicated adrenaline and noradrenaline in emotional arousal and memory.Daniel Goleman
2
: a state of physiological and psychological excitation caused by sexual contact or other erotic stimulation
Studies show 60% of patients taking the drugs experience some form of sexual dysfunction, ranging from loss of desire to problems with arousal and an inability to reach orgasm.Tara Parker-Pope

Examples of arousal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At the center of the curve is what is referred to as optimal arousal and performance. Caroline Castrillon, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024 The law is represented by a bell curve with low arousal (or stress) on the left side and high arousal on the right side. Caroline Castrillon, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024 Some couples also turn to specific foods that are purported to increase arousal − foods that are known as aphrodisiacs. Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 2 Oct. 2024 Certain centers in the brain—like the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus—control memory, arousal, and brain reward. Joy Emeh, Health, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for arousal 

Word History

Etymology

arouse + -al entry 2

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of arousal was in 1842

Dictionary Entries Near arousal

Cite this Entry

“Arousal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arousal. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

arousal

noun
arous·​al ə-ˈrau̇-zəl How to pronounce arousal (audio)
1
a
: the act of arousing
arousal from sleep
b
: the state of being aroused
specifically : responsiveness to stimuli
… cells of the locus coeruleus, a brain center involved in maintaining attention and arousalScience
2
: a state of physiological and psychological excitation caused by sexual contact or other erotic stimulation
Studies show 60% of patients taking the drugs experience some form of sexual dysfunction, ranging from loss of desire to problems with arousalTara Parker-Pope, The Wall Street Journal
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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