sensation

American  

[sen-sey-shuhn] / sɛnˈseɪ ʃən /

noun

sensations plural

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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Synonym Usage

See sense.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonsensation
  noun
• resensation
  noun
• subsensation
  noun
• sensationless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• sensations
  plural

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

Explanation

A sensation is a type of feeling, picked up by one of the five senses. Peppercorns will give you the sensation of a million tiny pinpricks on your tongue. A sensation is something from your senses. If you lose sensation in your feet, they are numb and it's time for you to get up and move around to restore blood flow. You can call something a sensation if it is wonderful and astonishing. Your parents will tell you that you were a sensation in the school play. Everyone will want to go see the special-effects movie that critics are calling a worldwide sensation.

Example Sentences

False rumors that Benjamin Franklin, en route from France to Philadelphia, had been captured by Barbary pirates caused a sensation.

From Salon • Jul. 4, 2026

He died just one month before the release of “Enter the Dragon,” which was a box-office sensation and is considered a masterpiece of martial arts filmmaking.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 3, 2026

Neither player is the Ballon d'Or-winning sensation they once were earlier in their careers, nor are they in the public eye as much after taking on new challenges away from European football's top five leagues.

From BBC • Jun. 24, 2026

A newfangled kind of derivative that trades at all hours and with leverage grew into a sensation in overseas markets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 23, 2026

I clench my teeth through the pain as the burning sensation on my neck worsens, but then it starts to die down.

From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas

Related Words

• emotion
• impression
• passion
• sense
• sensitivity