sensation

noun

sen·​sa·​tion sen-ˈsā-shən How to pronounce sensation (audio)
sən-
1
a
: a mental process (such as seeing, hearing, or smelling) resulting from the immediate external stimulation of a sense organ often as distinguished from a conscious awareness of the sensory process compare perception
b
: awareness (as of heat or pain) due to stimulation of a sense organ
c
: a state of consciousness due to internal bodily changes
a sensation of hunger
d
: an indefinite bodily feeling
a sensation of buoyancy
2
: something (such as a physical stimulus, sense-datum, or afterimage) that causes or is the object of sensation
3
a
: a state of excited interest or feeling
their elopement caused a sensation
b
: a cause of such excitement
the show was the musical sensation of the season
especially : one (such as a person) in some respect exceptional or outstanding
the rookie hitting sensation of the American League

Examples of sensation in a Sentence

I experienced a stinging sensation in my arm. She felt a burning sensation in her throat. She craved new experiences and sensations. She had the strange sensation that someone was watching her. I couldn't quite shake the sensation that I'd been fooled. Her injury left her with no sensation in her legs.
Recent Examples on the Web Although the blue sky, the strong sun, the air hinting at the soft messages of spring, seemed to provide a feast of pleasant atmospheric sights and sensations. Martin Weil, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2024 Angel Studios is also home to Monteverde’s 2023 surprise blockbuster and cultural sensation Sound of Freedom. Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Mar. 2024 Vitamin B12 inactivation can lead to weakness, paresthesia or pins-and-needles sensation in the hands, and spinal cord degeneration, Dr. Varun Vorha, director of the Michigan Poison and Drug Information Center, said during committee testimony on the bills. Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 13 Mar. 2024 Even beyond childhood, through touch sensations and tactile perceptions of temperature, texture and vibration transmitted to the brain, fingers are essential to how most people contact and interact with the external world throughout life. Sabrina Sholts, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024 Saint Cloud became a sensation, peaking at No. 2 among folk albums, No. 6 among alternative albums, and even breaking into the Billboard 200. Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 12 Mar. 2024 Kent Denver sophomore sensation Caleb Fay leads all scorers with 14 points. Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2024 As Hollywood gathers to celebrate a fraught but exciting year for cinema, with hits such as Barbie and critical sensations such as Killers of the Flower Moon also up for a slew of prizes, which categories will provide the best chances for a shocking result? David Sims, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2024 Halsey visited 10-year-old social media sensation Bella Thomson, also known as Bella Brave. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sensation.' 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

Medieval Latin sensation-, sensatio, from Late Latin, understanding, idea, from Latin sensus

First Known Use

1557, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sensation was in 1557

Dictionary Entries Near sensation

Cite this Entry

“Sensation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sensation. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sensation

noun
sen·​sa·​tion sen-ˈsā-shən How to pronounce sensation (audio)
sən-
1
a
: a mental process (as seeing, hearing, or smelling) that results from stimulation of a sense organ
b
: awareness (as of heat or pain) due to stimulation of a sense organ
c
: an indefinite bodily feeling
2
a
: a state of excited interest or feeling
b
: a cause of such excitement

Medical Definition

sensation

noun
sen·​sa·​tion sen-ˈsā-shən, sən- How to pronounce sensation (audio)
1
a
: a mental process (as seeing, hearing, or smelling) resulting from the immediate external stimulation of a sense organ often as distinguished from a conscious awareness of the sensory process compare perception
b
: awareness (as of heat or pain) due to stimulation of a sense organ
c
: a state of consciousness due to internal bodily changes
a sensation of hunger
2
: something (as a physical stimulus, sense-datum, pain, or afterimage) that causes or is the object of sensation

More from Merriam-Webster on sensation

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