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

A Japanese zoo caring for a baby monkey who has become an internet sensation was forced to issue a statement denying he was being bullied, following an outpouring of concern online.

From Barron's

It strains my brain the way Mom says reading a small font on a screen strains her eyes, and I can’t decide if I like the sensation or not.

From Literature

Styles seems to have remembered the sensation on the beat-heavy “Kiss All the Time,” his fourth solo LP.

From Los Angeles Times

For me, these are the foods that reliably create the sensation of feeling good.

From Salon

Stepping outside on a chilly winter morning or placing a mint in your mouth quickly creates a cooling sensation.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• emotion
• impression
• passion
• sense
• sensitivity