sensation

[sen-sey-shuh n]

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noun

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

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

Physiology. the faculty of perception of stimuli.

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

a mental feeling, especially a state of excited feeling.

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

a cause of such feeling or interest: The new Brazilian movie was the sensation of the film festival.

Origin of sensation

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

Related formssen·sa·tion·less, adjectivenon·sen·sa·tion, nounre·sen·sa·tion, nounsub·sen·sa·tion, noun

Synonyms for sensation

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2, 4. See sense. 6. excitement, stimulation, animation; agitation, commotion, perturbation.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for sensation

emotion, impression, sensitivity, passion, sense, excitement, thrill, phenomenon, prodigy, susceptibility, sentiment, consciousness, thought, tingle, sensibility, sensitiveness, response, awareness, vibes, scandal

Examples from the Web for sensation

Contemporary Examples of sensation

“The sensation these objects presented receded as their cost increased,” notes Rabinowitz.
How Pulp Fiction Saved Literature
Wendy Smith
January 8, 2015
Q: What was your sensation when they were pouring water... what did you physically feel?
The Luxury Homes That Torture and Your Tax Dollars Built
Michael Daly
December 12, 2014
The lure and addiction of gaming—which went back to pinball, of course—became a sensation with Asteroids.
‘Asteroids’ & The Dawn of the Gamer Age
David Owen
November 29, 2014
There was no acid in the bucket, just water mixed with some cleansers, which gave the sensation of burning.
Acid Attacks on Women Spread Terror in Iran
IranWire
October 18, 2014
One of the most painful and confusing paradoxes of life today concerns our sensation of scarcity amid plenty.
How Young People Are Destroying Liberty
James Poulos
October 11, 2014

Historical Examples of sensation

There was no time barren enough of sensation to reason about it.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
Cardinal Newman wrote: "Gladstone's book, as you see, is making a sensation."
The Grand Old Man
Richard B. Cook
He marveled dully over the sensation—it was wholly new to him.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
And the undercurrent of suppressed excitement, the sensation of Her!
The Bacillus of Beauty
Harriet Stark
John had a sensation of self-consciousness when he heard the word "wife."
The Foolish Lovers
St. John G. Ervine

British Dictionary definitions for sensation

sensation

noun

the power of perceiving through the senses

a physical condition or experience resulting from the stimulation of one of the sense organsa sensation of warmth

a general feeling or awarenessa sensation of fear

a state of widespread public excitementhis announcement caused a sensation

anything that causes such a stateyour speech was a sensation

Derived Formssensationless, adjective

Word Origin for sensation

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for sensation

1610s, "a reaction to external stimulation of the sense organs," from French sensation (14c.) and directly from Medieval Latin sensationem (nominative sensatio), from Late Latin sensatus "endowed with sense, sensible," from Latin sensus "feeling" (see sense (n.)). Meaning "state of shock, surprise, in a community" first recorded 1779.

The great object of life is sensation -- to feel that we exist, even though in pain. It is this 'craving void' which drives us to gaming -- to battle, to travel -- to intemperate, but keenly felt, pursuits of any description, whose principal attraction is the agitation inseparable from their accomplishment. [Lord Byron, letter, Sept. 6, 1813]

sensation in Medicine

sensation

[sĕn-sā′shən]

n.

A perception associated with stimulation of a sense organ or with a specific body condition.

The faculty to feel or perceive; physical sensibility.

An indefinite, generalized body feeling.