Stirring describes something that moves your emotions powerfully, making you feel inspired, excited, or deeply affected. A stirring speech might fill you with courage or determination. A stirring piece of music might make your heart beat faster or bring tears to your eyes. When Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address, listeners found it stirring because his words made them feel the weight and meaning of the moment.

The word suggests emotional intensity that awakens you from ordinary feelings or moves you to action. A teacher might tell a stirring story about someone who overcame great obstacles, and suddenly you find yourself wanting to work harder or be braver. The opening ceremonies at the Olympics often include stirring moments, where music and spectacle combine to create feelings of unity and excitement that ripple through the crowd.

Stirring can also mean the physical act of mixing something, usually with a spoon or stick making circular motions. You stir cake batter to blend the ingredients, or stir hot chocolate to dissolve the powder. When you're cooking soup, you might need to stir it occasionally to keep anything from sticking to the bottom of the pot.