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: 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.

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

Other Word Forms

• sensationless adjective
• nonsensation noun
• resensation noun
• subsensation 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

That shifting setting creates often surprising variations in sensation and perspective, enabled by diverse vegetation, hills, a long pond, deep groves and, of course, thick rows of vines.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"This suggests that how people anticipate and interpret gut sensations can strongly influence their symptoms," she said.

Read more on Science Daily

Even though the Dodgers took an early lead in Game 1, scoring twice in the first three innings against rookie Blue Jays sensation Trey Yesavage, Toronto was methodically executing the necessary game plan.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Snowball, a sulphur-crested cockatoo, became a YouTube sensation nearly a decade ago for dancing to the Backstreet Boys’ “Everybody.”

Read more on Salon

A screening series of "legacy films" that first premiered at the festival, including the Oscar-winning "Little Miss Sunshine" and horror sensation "Saw," will be attended by their directors and cast.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• emotion 
• impression 
• passion 
• sense 
• sensitivity