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

Notably, the authors argue that this was due to habituation, rather than the usual suspects like conflict or infidelity. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2026

Performance evaluation appears to actively resist the normal habituation process. —Amy Cuddy, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2026

Southwest Wildlife workers take care to limit the cubs’ contact with humans to avoid habituation. —Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 20 Feb. 2026

The habituation process isn’t always smooth and straightforward. —Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for habituation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Medical 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