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

Goldhaber’s reimagining of an ominous relic from an earlier era of media consumption may capture for audiences the sensation, for better or worse, of what life can be like in an ultra-connected world.

From Los Angeles Times

This unstable, indeterminate flickering sensation is what Mr. Lerner wants to evoke as he maneuvers his stories between the polarities of the real and the imaginary.

From The Wall Street Journal

But the sensation they were feeling—that chafing, persistent yearning for something to soothe their weary soul—was often confused with dehydration.

From Literature

When activated, it reduces pain over a sustained period without interfering with normal sensations or activating reward pathways associated with addiction.

From Science Daily

These EC cells are known to produce sensations such as nausea, pain, and general gut discomfort, but it was unclear whether they directly interact with tuft cells.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• emotion
• impression
• passion
• sense
• sensitivity