sensation

American  

[sen-sey-shuhn] / sɛnˈseɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the operation or function of the senses; perception or awareness of stimuli through the senses.

2. a mental condition or physical feeling resulting from stimulation of a sense organ or from internal bodily change, as cold or pain.

3. Physiology. the faculty of perception of stimuli.

4. a general feeling not directly attributable to any given stimulus, as discomfort, anxiety, or doubt.

5. a mental feeling, especially a state of excited feeling.

6. a state of excited feeling or interest caused among a number of persons or throughout a community, as by some rumor or occurrence.

   Synonyms:

   perturbation, commotion, agitation, animation, stimulation, excitement

7. a cause of such feeling or interest.

   The new Brazilian movie was the sensation of the film festival.

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sensation British  

/ sɛnˈseɪʃən /

noun

1. the power of perceiving through the senses

2. a physical condition or experience resulting from the stimulation of one of the sense organs

   a sensation of warmth

3. a general feeling or awareness

   a sensation of fear

4. a state of widespread public excitement

   his announcement caused a sensation

5. anything that causes such a state

   your speech was a sensation

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Related Words

See sense.

Other Word Forms

• nonsensation noun
• resensation noun
• sensationless adjective
• subsensation noun

Etymology

Origin of sensation

First recorded in 1605–15; from Medieval Latin sēnsātiōn- (stem of sēnsātiō ), equivalent to Late Latin sēnsāt(us) sensate + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

When winter arrives, many people notice small but familiar sensations.

From Science Daily

He could feel it against his gloves — and the sensation of the ball bouncing out of his grasp before it fell into the arms of Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s no question: Straight women — the same ones who turned Rachel Reid’s source novel into a bestselling sensation — helped explode “Heated Rivalry” into the indomitable sensation it has become.

From Salon

Hughes also practices somatic experiencing, a psychodynamic modality helping people tap into their bodily sensations as a way of processing emotions.

From Los Angeles Times

While Spanish sensation Alcaraz bumped his Italian rival from the season-ending world number one spot, Sinner had the last laugh by edging him to retain his ATP Finals title in Turin.

From Barron's

Related Words

• emotion
• impression
• passion
• sense
• sensitivity