perceive

verb

per·​ceive pər-ˈsēv How to pronounce perceive (audio)
perceived; perceiving; perceives

transitive verb

1
a
: to attain awareness or understanding of
b
: to regard as being such
was perceived as a loser
2
: to become aware of through the senses
especially : see, observe
perceivable adjective
perceivably adverb
perceiver noun

Examples of perceive in a Sentence

We perceive by means of the kaleidoscopic mirror of this life. This means that our ability to perceive is at once tyrannized by our expectations, and at war with them. James Baldwin, The Evidence of Things Not Seen, 1985
Standing in the hallway just out of sight during this interview was Sarah. She held her baby on her hip and she listened. She perceived as no one in the family could the enormity of the misfortune. E. L. Doctorow, Ragtime, 1974
… and when they perceived her to be little struck with the duet they were so good as to play, they could do no more than make her a generous present of some of their least valued toys, and leave her to herself, while they adjourned to whatever might be the favourite holiday sport of the moment, making artificial flowers or wasting gold paper. Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, 1814
I thought I perceived a problem, but I wasn't sure. perceived that it was going to be a nice day
Recent Examples on the Web Altman returned in triumph, the instigating board members were asked to resign, and the whole incident was perceived, rightly or wrongly, as a blow to the doomer cause. Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 But the vast majority of iPad users will not perceive any difference in performance between the M1 and M2 models (and really, any iPad Pro from 2018 or later). Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 9 Mar. 2024 This increased focus on the unique power of AI to behave in unexpected ways is already impacting how AI products are perceived, marketed, and adopted. François Candelon, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024 And for nearly 25 years the amendment was perceived as a threat to, and all but paralyzed, the CDC's support and study of gun violence. Christine Spolar, NPR, 6 Mar. 2024 Austin has been searching for a new city manager since February 2023 when, according to the Texas Tribune, the previous one was fired due to what City Council members perceived as his flawed response to a major winter storm. Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2024 Visitors not have read to perceive how memory, identity and urban life remain eternally resonant—but those who haven’t will likely be compelled to do so upon emerging from this moving show that is not to be missed. Amy Verner, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2024 Not because of what’s going on at home, but because of how the world treats them and how they’re perceived. Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2024 The trainees could perceive the world as their patients. Sergei Vardomatski, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'perceive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French perceivre, from Latin percipere, from per- thoroughly + capere to take — more at heave entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of perceive was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near perceive

Cite this Entry

“Perceive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perceive. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

perceive

verb
per·​ceive pər-ˈsēv How to pronounce perceive (audio)
perceived; perceiving
1
2
: to become aware of through the senses and especially through sight
perceiver noun

Medical Definition

perceive

transitive verb
per·​ceive pər-ˈsēv How to pronounce perceive (audio)
perceived; perceiving
: to become aware of through the senses
perceivable adjective
perceivably adverb
perceiver noun

More from Merriam-Webster on perceive

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