irritation
nounUK /ˌɪɹ.ɪˈteɪ.ʃən/ · US /ˌɪɹ.ɪˈteɪ.ʃən/
Etymology Borrowed from Middle French irritation, from Latin irrītātiō, from irrītāre (“to excite”). By surface analysis, irritate + -ion.
1
The act of irritating or annoying.
- What irritation causes you to be so moody?
2
The state of being irritated.
- It has already been established that the crew was competent and qualified for operation of AS66. With the exception of some overtones of irritation about the manner in which another aircraft, N799Y, affected the flight's progress into the Juneau area, the recorded cockpit conversation, in general, reflects a relaxed but businesslike atmosphere.1972 October 13, National Transportation Safety Board, “2.1 Analysis”, in Aircraft Accident Report: Alaska Airlines, Inc., Boeing 727, N2969G, Near Juneau, Alaska, September 4, 1971, archived from the original on 31 Aug 2024, page 31:
- Last spring, the periodical cicadas emerged across eastern North America. Their vast numbers and short above-ground life spans inspired awe and irritation in humans—and made for good meals for birds and small mammals.2012 March-April, Anna Lena Phillips, “Sneaky Silk Moths”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, archived from the original on 19 Feb 2013, page 172:
1 more example
- CNN spoke recently with several Conyers residents who said they still have blurry vision, shortness of breath, throat irritation or chronic headaches since the chemical plant fire.2024 November 24, Chris Boyette, “Investigators release update on BioLab chemical plant fire probe”, in CNN, archived from the original on 30 Aug 2025:
3
A thing or person that annoys.
4
Medicine, Physiology, Sciences A state of inflammation or of painful reaction to cell or tissue damage.
5
A condition of morbid excitability or oversensitiveness of an organ or part of the body; a state in which the application of ordinary stimuli produces pain or excessive or vitiated action.
- Hip pain is a common complaint in children and may indicate a very mild irritation in the hip joint or may be the symptom of a very severe abnormality1975, Richard I. Feinbloom, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Child Health Encyclopedia: The Complete Guide for Parents:
- Derived terms
- abirritation, counterirritation, irritant, irritational, irritative, photoirritation