sensation

[ sen-sey-shuh n ]

/ sɛnˈseɪ ʃən /

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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.

Nearby words

sennit, senopia, sensa, sensate, sensate focus, sensation, sensational, sensationalism, sensationalize, sensationism, sense

Origin of sensation

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

SYNONYMS FOR sensation

2, 4 See sense.

6 excitement, stimulation, animation; agitation, commotion, perturbation.

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Related forms

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

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

Examples from the Web for sensation

“The sensation these objects presented receded as their cost increased,” notes Rabinowitz.
How Pulp Fiction Saved Literature|Wendy Smith|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
The sensation that a ship gives a passenger when it dips after a swell returned, but it quickly passed.
The Guns of Europe|Joseph A. Altsheler
As the author of that book I was a sensation, almost as much so as if I had won the heavy-weight championship of the world.
The Book of Life: Vol. I Mind and Body; Vol. II Love and Society|Upton Sinclair
I do not see how this could be if the sensation of two is any more complex than that of one.
Harvard Psychological Studies, Volume 1|Various
A hot flush passed over the brow of Lady Isabel; a sensation very like jealousy flew to her heart.
East Lynne|Mrs. Henry Wood
He was ravenously hungry now, and if he smoked that would perhaps dull the sensation.
Of High Descent|George Manville Fenn

British Dictionary definitions for sensation

sensation

/ (sɛnˈseɪʃən) /

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 Forms

sensationless, 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

Medicine definitions for sensation

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.

sensation

noun

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of sensation

SYNONYMS FOR sensation

Related forms

Examples from the Web for sensation

British Dictionary definitions for sensation

sensation

noun

Derived Forms

Word Origin for sensation

Medicine definitions for sensation

sensation

n.