instinct

instinct definition - medical

in·stinct (ĭnˈstĭngktˌ)

noun
  1. An inborn pattern of behavior that is characteristic of a species and is often a response to specific environmental stimuli.
  2. A powerful motivation or impulse.

Related Forms:

  • in·stincˈtive, in·stincˈtu·al (ĭn-stĭngkˈcho͞o-əl) adjective

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.