habituate

verb

ha·​bit·​u·​ate hə-ˈbi-chə-ˌwāt How to pronounce habituate (audio)
ha-,
-chü-ˌāt
habituated; habituating

transitive verb

1
: to make used to something : accustom
2

intransitive verb

1
: to cause habituation
2
: to undergo habituation
habituate to a stimulus

Examples of habituate in a Sentence

the sort of lounge lizard known to habituate bars and nightclubs
Recent Examples on the Web Delaney Prince, the campground host at Pine City describes Victor as calm, and totally habituated to the presence of humans and their food. Wes Siler, Outside Online, 29 Aug. 2024 Naturally habituating the jaguars to safari cruisers—which is not about taming the cats, but keeping them wild and free, yet also comfortable around the vehicles—does more than ensure sightings. Stephanie Vermillion, Vogue, 13 Aug. 2024 This surge is not a fleeting trend but a true shift in that consumers are now habituated to browsing vast product ranges online, reading reviews and making informed purchases. Andre Claudio, Sourcing Journal, 30 July 2024 Smartphones have thus habituated people to an expectation of stimulation—and potential reward—at every moment. Christine Emba, The Atlantic, 8 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for habituate 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'habituate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of habituate was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near habituate

Cite this Entry

“Habituate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/habituate. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

habituate

verb
ha·​bit·​u·​ate hə-ˈbich-ə-ˌwāt How to pronounce habituate (audio)
ha-
habituated; habituating
: to make used to something
habituation
-ˌbich-ə-ˈwā-shən
noun

Medical Definition

habituate

verb
ha·​bit·​u·​ate hə-ˈbich-ə-ˌwāt, ha- How to pronounce habituate (audio)
habituated; habituating

intransitive verb

1
: to cause habituation
marijuana may be habituating
2
: to undergo habituation
habituate to a stimulus

More from Merriam-Webster on habituate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!