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hallucination

noun
hal·​lu·​ci·​na·​tion | \ hə-ˌlü-sə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce hallucination (audio) \

Definition of hallucination

1a : perception of objects with no reality usually arising from disorder of the nervous system or in response to drugs (such as LSD) was having hallucinations
b : the object so perceived wasn't sure if the rain was real or a hallucination
2 : an unfounded or mistaken impression or notion : delusion
Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about hallucination

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Choose the Right Synonym for hallucination

delusion, illusion, hallucination, mirage mean something that is believed to be true or real but that is actually false or unreal. delusion implies an inability to distinguish between what is real and what only seems to be real, often as the result of a disordered state of mind. delusions of persecution illusion implies a false ascribing of reality based on what one sees or imagines. an illusion of safety hallucination implies impressions that are the product of disordered senses, as because of mental illness or drugs. suffered from terrifying hallucinations mirage in its extended sense applies to an illusory vision, dream, hope, or aim. claimed a balanced budget is a mirage

Examples of hallucination in a Sentence

He could not tell if what he was seeing was real or if it was a hallucination. He has been having hallucinations due to the medication.

Recent Examples on the Web

 But he is increasingly haunted by terrible hallucinations, sudden onset high fevers, and occasionally finds himself in an alternate reality with his first wife and young son, Gabe, who had been killed in an accident before the war. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "First trailer for Jacob’s Ladder reboot looks as spooky as the 1990 original," 2 July 2019 The Red Cross warned that excessive heat could cause dizziness, convulsions and hallucinations, especially for older people. — William Walsh, Fortune, "Europe's Scorching Heatwave Forces Germany to Impose Autobahn Speed Limits," 26 June 2019 At that point, a person can show symptoms like confusion, abnormal behavior, hallucinations, insomnia, drooling, difficulty swallowing and hydrophobia, fear of water. — Minali Nigam, CNN, "Most rabies infections in the United States come from bats, CDC says," 12 June 2019 Together, the substances interact to cause powerful hallucinations along with nausea and vomiting. — Erin Blakemore, National Geographic, "Ancient hallucinogens found in 1,000-year-old shamanic pouch," 6 May 2019 Hiscock was diagnosed with bipolar disorder type 1 and was subject to hallucinations and odd behavior as a result of his illness, which was treated with the medication Abilify. — Sam Stanton, sacbee, "‘I had a purple elephant in my throat.’ Berkeley literature grad dies alone in Yuba County jail," 2 Feb. 2018 Paul Tarashuk had schizoaffective disorder, suffering delusions and hallucinations. — Jim Axelrod, CBS News, "Man suffering psychotic breakdown left alone near highway by South Carolina first responders," 31 July 2019 Death is often preceded by seizures, pain, and hallucinations. — James Gorman, New York Times, "Rabies Kills Tens of Thousands Yearly. Vaccinating Dogs Could Stop It.," 22 July 2019 Stanford University scientists triggered visual hallucinations in mice by activating a few brain cells with a light signal. — Karen Weintraub, Scientific American, "How to Make a Mouse Hallucinate," 19 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hallucination.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of hallucination

1629, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for hallucination

see hallucinate

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More Definitions for hallucination

hallucination

noun
How to pronounce hallucination (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of hallucination

: something (such as an image, a sound, or a smell) that seems real but does not really exist and that is usually caused by mental illness or the effect of a drug

See the full definition for hallucination in the English Language Learners Dictionary

hallucination

noun
hal·​lu·​ci·​na·​tion | \ hə-ˌlü-sə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce hallucination (audio) \

Kids Definition of hallucination

: the seeing of objects or the experiencing of feelings that are not real but are usually the result of mental disorder or the effect of a drug

hallucination

noun
hal·​lu·​ci·​na·​tion | \ hə-ˌlüs-ᵊn-ˈā-shən How to pronounce hallucination (audio) \

Medical Definition of hallucination

1 : a perception of something (as a visual image or a sound) with no external cause usually arising from a disorder of the nervous system (as in delirium tremens or in functional psychosis without known neurological disease) or in response to drugs (as LSD) — compare delusion sense 2, illusion sense 2a
2 : the object of a hallucinatory perception

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More from Merriam-Webster on hallucination

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with hallucination

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hallucination

Spanish Central: Translation of hallucination

Nglish: Translation of hallucination for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of hallucination for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hallucination

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