sensation

[sen-sey-shuhn]

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.

sensation

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sensation¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sensation¹

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

Synonym Study

See sense.

Example Sentences

"This isn't a crash, or a panic, or even a proper correction; it's the unmistakeable sensation of a market trading at altitude with borrowed oxygen, suddenly aware of how thin the air has become."

Read more on Barron's

I feel a strange prickling sensation on the back of my neck, like the darkness in the corridor is watching me.

Read more on Literature

The sensation was so strong she had to resist the urge to look over her shoulder, to see if she could catch a final glimpse of her parents.

Read more on Literature

The oohing and aahing people express toward the inky-eyed panda have made the bear not only an international sensation—but the de facto symbol of China itself.

Read more on Literature

The discovery of the vessel that had forever changed the nature of naval warfare caused a worldwide sensation.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• emotion 
• impression 
• passion 
• sense 
• sensitivity