stimulator
stimulator — noun
1. a person or thing that causes activity, growth, or new ideas in someone or somet
a person or thing that causes activity, growth, or new ideas in someone or something — for example, a teacher who makes students excited about a subject, or a book that makes readers think in a different way.
Ezra's enthusiasm in class was a powerful stimulator of creative thinking among the students.
stimulator + of + noun (thing encouraged)
The workshop acted as a stimulator, pushing the team to explore fresh solutions to old problems.
Parents often try to be stimulators of curiosity by taking their children to science museums.
A lively debate is a great stimulator of new ideas at Elena's design studio in Taipei.
Tendai used the painting as a stimulator of discussion during the art history lesson.
- catalyst
emphasises causing change to happen faster, often used for events or processes
- motivator
emphasises giving someone a reason to act, more personal than 'stimulator'
- encourager
emphasises giving emotional support, warmer in tone
文法句型
stimulator + of + noun
act as a stimulator
用法筆記
Often followed by 'of' to name the thing being encouraged (e.g., 'a stimulator of change'). The subject is typically a person, event, or idea rather than an object.
常見錯誤
2. a device that sends electrical signals to a nerve, muscle, or organ so that it w
a device that sends electrical signals to a nerve, muscle, or organ so that it works properly or stops causing pain — for example, a pacemaker that keeps the heartbeat regular, or a machine that reduces back pain by sending mild pulses to the spine.
The doctor fitted a nerve stimulator in Hassan's spine to help control his long-term back pain.
nerve stimulator — common medical collocation
A spinal cord stimulator helped Roya reduce her chronic back pain after medicines and physical therapy had not worked well.
spinal cord stimulator — standard medical term
A small electrical stimulator at Taipei Medical University Hospital helped Lien regain leg movement.
Quan's heart condition improved after doctors placed a special stimulator near the organ.
After struggling with migraines for years, Mei agreed to try a nerve stimulator that her neurologist recommended.
- electrode device
a more general technical term for any device that uses electrodes
- pacemaker
a specific type of heart stimulator, not interchangeable with other stimulators
文法句型
nerve stimulator
spinal cord stimulator
electrical stimulator
用法筆記
Commonly appears in compound noun phrases such as 'nerve stimulator', 'spinal cord stimulator', or 'electrical stimulator'. These are standard medical terms and should not be broken apart.
常見錯誤
3. a substance, especially a drug or chemical, that raises the level of physical or
a substance, especially a drug or chemical, that raises the level of physical or mental activity in the body. Note: the word 'stimulant' is far more common for this meaning in everyday English.
Caffeine acts as a mild stimulator that helps Shanti stay alert during long night shifts at the hospital.
The marathon runner Benjamin was disqualified for using illegal stimulators before the Osaka International Marathon.
illegal stimulators — collocation in sports-doping context
The herbal drink worked as a gentle stimulator, making Tyler feel more awake without any side effects.
Doctors warned that the stimulator in the new energy pill could cause a fast heartbeat and trouble sleeping.
- depressant
a substance that slows down body and mind activity
- sedative
a substance that calms or puts to sleep
文法句型
act as a stimulator
natural stimulator
用法筆記
This sense overlaps with the more common noun 'stimulant'. Use 'stimulator' only in formal or technical writing when you want to emphasise the substance's role as an agent of stimulation rather than its category as a drug.