habituation
noun
ha·bit·u·a·tion
hə-ˌbi-chə-ˈwā-shən 
ha-,
-chü-ˈā-
1
: the process of habituating : the state of being habituated
2
a
: tolerance to the effects of a drug acquired through continued use
b
: psychological dependence on a drug after a period of use compare addiction
3
: decrease in responsiveness upon repeated exposure to a stimulus
Examples of habituation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Interestingly, however, this habituation did not appear to be permanent.
—
Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Pain and terror rouse him from his habituation, the domestic life that dulls.
—Parul Sehgal, The New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2024
The team plans to look at how animals get used to recreational noises over time — a term called habituation.
—Elizabeth Walsh, Idaho Statesman, 9 July 2024
Are some groups of people more susceptible to habituation than others?
—Andrew Limbong, NPR, 26 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for habituation 
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Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Pain and terror rouse him from his habituation, the domestic life that dulls.
—Parul Sehgal, The New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2024
The team plans to look at how animals get used to recreational noises over time — a term called habituation.
—Elizabeth Walsh, Idaho Statesman, 9 July 2024
Are some groups of people more susceptible to habituation than others?
—Andrew Limbong, NPR, 26 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for habituation
Dictionary Entries Near habituation
Cite this Entry
“Habituation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/habituation. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
habituation
noun
ha·bit·u·a·tion
-ˌbich-ə-ˈwā-shən
1
: the act or process of making habitual or accustomed
2
a
: tolerance to the effects of a drug acquired through continued use
b
: psychological dependence on a drug after a period of use compare addiction
3
: a form of nonassociative learning characterized by a decrease in responsiveness upon repeated exposure to a stimulus compare sensitization sense 3
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