consciousness

[kon-shuhs-nis]

noun

1. the state of being conscious; awareness of one's own existence, sensations, thoughts, surroundings, etc.

2. the thoughts and feelings, collectively, of an individual or of an aggregate of people.

   the moral consciousness of a nation.

3. full activity of the mind and senses, as in waking life.

   to regain consciousness after fainting.

4. awareness of something for what it is; internal knowledge.

   consciousness of wrongdoing.

5. concern, interest, or acute awareness.

   class consciousness.

6. the mental activity of which a person is aware as contrasted with unconscious mental processes.

7. Philosophy.,  the mind or the mental faculties as characterized by thought, feelings, and volition.

Other Word Forms

• underconsciousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of consciousness¹

First recorded in 1625–35; conscious + -ness

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. raise one's consciousness, to increase one's awareness and understanding of one's own needs, behavior, attitudes, etc., especially as a member of a particular social or political group.

Example Sentences

Smith appeared to lose consciousness almost instantly but Jackson then mounted the crumpled wrestler and punched him in the head and face more than 20 times, according to the video.

From Los Angeles Times

Dame Patricia Routledge, who has died at the age of 96, imprinted herself on the national consciousness as the snobby Hyacinth Bucket.

From BBC

So I think it is part of our consciousness, this idea of water and river, and that being the borderline between life and death.”

From Salon

Kellyman is terrific opposite Squibb, but this unconventional friendship tale is the kind of slight human interest story that slips from your consciousness almost as soon as it has made its brief impression.

From Los Angeles Times

She gives him two minutes real-world time to accomplish this task in Borderland and even guards his body as his consciousness is fighting in other world.

From Salon

Related Words

• alertness www.thesaurus.com
• apprehension 
• awareness 
• recognition 
• sensibility