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: stimulation, perturbation, commotion, agitation, animation, 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

Derived Forms

• senˈsationless, adjective

Other Words From

• sen·sation·less adjective
• nonsen·sation noun
• resen·sation noun
• subsen·sation 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

Pain sensations and other information are mainly conducted through our nervous system as electrical signals.

From Science Daily

Recently Ray spoke to The Times about how his signature live show started as a gag to maximize the usage of exceptional makeup and turned Ray into an “advice”-giving, viral sensation.

From Los Angeles Times

The ride consists of six swinging arms that soar six stories high and rotate 360 degrees, offering riders the sensation of spinning in three directions at once.

From Los Angeles Times

A huge smile followed and a gesture to his family as the darts sensation revelled in his 10th trophy of 2024.

From BBC

His opponent is Jake Paul, the YouTube sensation turned professional boxer who some claim is bad for boxing.

From Salon

Related Words

• emotion
• impression
• passion
• sense
• sensitivity