excitatory

adjective

ex·​cit·​ato·​ry ik-ˈsī-tə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce excitatory (audio)
: exhibiting, resulting from, relating to, or producing excitement or excitation
excitatory nerve fibers

Examples of excitatory in a Sentence

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In the brain, for example, elevated stress hormones can impair learning and memory by flooding the hippocampus with excitatory chemical signals. — Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 As that handover proceeds, the excitatory signal that keeps your muscles faintly tensed all day begins to withdraw, and muscle tone drops toward the near-paralysis of deep sleep. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 In simpler terms, magnesium glycinate quiets excitatory brain signals, helps your body shift into sleep mode and reduces the stress hormones that keep you wired at night. — Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026 Osmond and her sisters have variations on a gene that affects receptors for glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter with many functions throughout the brain. — Shayla Love, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for excitatory

Word History

First Known Use

1803, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of excitatory was in 1803

Rhymes for excitatory

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Browse Nearby Words

excitative
excitatory
excite
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Cite this Entry

“Excitatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excitatory. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Medical Definition

excitatory

adjective
ex·​cit·​ato·​ry ik-ˈsīt-ə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˌtȯr- How to pronounce excitatory (audio)
1
: tending to induce excitation (as of a neuron)
excitatory substances
excitatory and inhibitory pathways from the brain—W. G. Van der Kloot
2
: exhibiting, resulting from, related to, or produced by excitement or excitation
an excitatory postsynaptic potential
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