arousal
noun
arous·al
ə-ˈrau̇-zəl 
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
Jack LondonHis work with animals had implicated adrenaline and noradrenaline in emotional arousal and memory.—Daniel Goleman
Daniel Goleman2
: 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
Tara Parker-PopeExamples of arousal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
A couple might start by touching fully clothed, then move to skin-to-skin contact over multiple sessions, always focusing on sensations rather than arousal.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 1 Feb. 2025
This suggests petting might activate more attentional processes and elicits strong emotional arousal.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025
By contrast, reappraisal techniques, which involve reinterpreting the meaning of a triggering event, have been shown to reduce emotional arousal and support long-term emotional health.
—Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Any spot on your body that induces arousal can be paired to create a blended orgasm.
—Amanda Chatel, Glamour, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for arousal 
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Mark Travers, Forbes, 1 Feb. 2025
This suggests petting might activate more attentional processes and elicits strong emotional arousal.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025
By contrast, reappraisal techniques, which involve reinterpreting the meaning of a triggering event, have been shown to reduce emotional arousal and support long-term emotional health.
—Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Any spot on your body that induces arousal can be paired to create a blended orgasm.
—Amanda Chatel, Glamour, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for arousal
Dictionary Entries Near arousal
Cite this Entry
“Arousal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arousal. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
arousal
noun
arous·al
ə-ˈrau̇-zəl
1
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 …—Tara Parker-Pope, The Wall Street Journal
Tara Parker-Pope, The Wall Street JournalLove words? Need even more definitions?
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