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

Instead, some water filled in around me, but I didn’t feel a firmness that gave the sensation of being tightly held or suspended.

From Los Angeles Times

When axons are cut, communication between neurons is disrupted, leading to paralysis and loss of sensation below the injury site.

From Science Daily

As it turned out, Malinin wasn’t the only American sensation who turned in a 15th-place performance with gold on the line.

From The Wall Street Journal

Since the last Olympics, this jumping, spinning, backflipping sensation had lorded over figure skating.

From The Wall Street Journal

This can cause paralysis and disrupt sensations such as touch and temperature.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• emotion
• impression
• passion
• sense
• sensitivity