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

In a moment of drunken grief, Lola says something sort of messianic, which someone else cuts together into a video perfect for a grieving world, and suddenly she’s a viral sensation.

From Los Angeles Times

It was a role he originated in London, on the tiny stage upstairs at the Royal Court Theatre, where it first became an underground sensation.

From Los Angeles Times

Taking family power struggles and turning them into global television sensations is becoming something of a habit for screenwriter Steven Knight.

From BBC

Since then, Emil has become a social media sensation, with hundreds of photos and videos posted online.

From BBC

With its unexplained central fact and its cast of characters from small-town southern France, the affair has become a social media sensation.

From BBC

Related Words

• emotion 
• impression 
• passion 
• sense 
• sensitivity