sentience

[ sen-shuhns ]

noun

1. sentient condition or character; capacity for sensation or feeling.

sentience

/ ˈsɛnʃəns /

noun

1. the state or quality of being sentient; awareness
2. sense perception not involving intelligence or mental perception; feeling

Other Words From

• non·sentience noun
• non·sentien·cy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sentience¹

First recorded in 1830–40; senti(ent) + -ence

Example Sentences

“We don't know much else beyond this basic type of sentience. It's hard to answer what this implies for consciousness of two animals fusing into one since it depends on how we define consciousness.”

From Salon

Rose pointed out what he described as “exciting language … around the sentience of animals.”

From Los Angeles Times

Humans have grown more open to recognizing animal sentience since “The Hathaways,” giving them their due without mistaking our worldview for theirs.

From Los Angeles Times

"This teaches us that we shouldn't make assumptions about animal intelligence or sentience based on whether they are 'built' just like us," she said.

From BBC

Amazingly, naturally-produced painkillers have long been considered a key indicator of possible sentience in animals.

From Salon

Related Words

• alertness
• appreciation
• attention
• consciousness
• information
• perception
• realization
• recognition
• understanding