sensation

[ sen-sey-shuhn ]

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: stimulation, perturbation, commotion, agitation, animation, excitement

7. a cause of such feeling or interest:

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

sensation

/ 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

Derived Forms

• senˈsationless, adjective

Other Words From

• sen·sation·less adjective
• nonsen·sation noun
• resen·sation noun
• subsen·sation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sensation¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sensation¹

C17: from Medieval Latin sensātiō, from Late Latin sensātus sensate

Synonym Study

See sense.

Example Sentences

It was a habit that had taken a mental toll on him by the time he became a global sensation with the weight of his brand and a company of dancers standing on his shoulders.

From Essence.com

Bourne suggests writing down the events and thoughts that lead up to sensations of panic.

From Popular-Science

Just take life as it comes and enjoy the sensations of life as cats too.

From Vox

Created by television producer Craig Gilbert, “An American Family” was a sensation when it aired over 12 one-hour installments in 1973.

From Washington Post

For a small group of people, sensations entangle themselves in baffling ways.

From Popular-Science

“The sensation these objects presented receded as their cost increased,” notes Rabinowitz.

From The Daily Beast

Is there a more dreadful sensation than that of your stomach wringing itself out like a washcloth?

From The Daily Beast

After failing to reach their targeted goal on crowdfunding sites, the café became a media sensation following a piece on Buzzfeed.

From The Daily Beast

Q: What was your sensation when they were pouring water... what did you physically feel?

From The Daily Beast

The lure and addiction of gaming—which went back to pinball, of course—became a sensation with Asteroids.

From The Daily Beast

The sensation she had communicated to him then she communicated again, this time perhaps more strongly.

From Project Gutenberg

He brings out all their power, brilliancy and careering wildness, and makes the greatest sensation of them.

From Project Gutenberg

It would make a sensation, he thought; there was more than one generally accepted theory he had challenged or contradicted in it.

From Project Gutenberg

He soon experienced an unwonted sense of fatigue, then a drowsy sensation came over him.

From Project Gutenberg

Perhaps, like father, I am a snob at heart and liked the sensation of a sort of artistic alliance with the British aristocracy.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• emotion
• impression
• passion
• sense
• sensitivity