habituation

[ huh-bich-oo-ey-shuhn ]

/ həˌbɪtʃ uˈeɪ ʃən /

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See synonyms for habituation on Thesaurus.com

noun

the act of habituating.

the condition of being habituated.

physiological tolerance to or psychological dependence on a drug, short of addiction.

reduction of psychological or behavioral response occurring when a specific stimulus occurs repeatedly.

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Origin of habituation

1400–50; late Middle English. See habituate, -ion

Words nearby habituation

habited, habit-forming, habitual, habitually, habituate, habituation, habitude, habitué, habitus, haboob, Habsburg

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use habituation in a sentence

To the researchers’ surprise, all of the embryos showed not only a slowed heart rate in response to repeated sounds of their own species, but also habituation.
Some birds learn to recognize calls while still in their eggs|Lesley Evans Ogden|September 16, 2021|Science News
They must be instructed to do what is right through example and habituation.
There’s nothing conservative about CPAC|Michael Gerson|February 25, 2021|Washington Post
Several studies have repeatedly illustrated the rapid habituation to new conflicts by the Israeli public.
Why are the Israelis so Damn Happy?|Tiffanie Wen|April 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The most important aspects of habituation may be summed up in the one word efficiency.
The Science of Human Nature|William Henry Pyle

Now that we have shown the results of habituation let us consider additional illustrations.
The Science of Human Nature|William Henry Pyle
Nailing shingles on a roof illustrates well the various aspects of habituation.
The Science of Human Nature|William Henry Pyle
Even Mrs. Fenwick's habituation to her daughter's incisive method is no proof against this.
Somehow Good|William de Morgan
Other things being equal, the longer and more unbroken the habituation, the more legitimate is the canon of taste in question.
The Theory of the Leisure Class|Thorstein Veblen

British Dictionary definitions for habituation

habituation

/ (həˌbɪtjʊˈeɪʃən) /

noun

the act or process of habituating

psychol the temporary waning of an innate response that occurs when it is elicited many times in successionCompare extinction (def. 6)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012