sensation
noun
sen·sa·tion
| \ sen-ˈsā-shən
, sən-\
, sən-\
Definition of sensation
1a
: 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
3a
: 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
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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web
It’s mostly found on nerve cells that are involved in pain sensation. — Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, "What Chili Peppers Can Teach Us about Pain," 5 Sep. 2019 Maurizio Sarri opted to go with experience rather than selecting teenage sensation and new recruit Matthijs de Ligt. — SI.com, "Giorgio Chiellini: Hopefully it's Not the End for One of This Generation's Greatest Defenders," 2 Sep. 2019 Making the day a complete disaster for the Brewers, rookie hitting sensation Keston Hiura left the game in the fifth inning with a left hamstring injury. — Tom Haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Cubs 7, Brewers 1: Anderson shelled early, Hiura exits with injury as slide continues," 30 Aug. 2019 Vogueworld Billie Eilish’s Latest Playful Outfit Proves She’s a ’90s Kid at Heart 17-year-old pop sensation Billie Eilish was born on December 18, 2001, which puts her squarely in Gen Z territory. — Vogue, "Billie Eilish’s Latest Playful Outfit Proves She’s a ’90s Kid at Heart," 29 Aug. 2019 But here’s where the MCU comes in: to offer fans a tidier version of the Eternals story, and to turn yet another obscure and slightly confusing comic property into an inevitable cultural sensation. — Alejandra Salazar, refinery29.com, "Who's Playing Who In The Eternals, In Case You're Not Up On Your Marvel Mythology," 24 Aug. 2019 The series turned Starz into a must-watch cable network for many viewers, proved 50 Cent’s instincts correct and along the way turned its characters into internet sensations and in some cases, household names. — Washington Post, "Life-changing ‘Power’: Stars reflect on series’ impact," 23 Aug. 2019 Disney undeniably knows how to sell a product and get fans excited about properties that were once part of nerd culture and are now the world’s biggest media sensations. — Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, "How 'Spider-Man' Divorce Shows Ugly Side of Fandom," 22 Aug. 2019 Eagles and herons adorn the walls, but the bird that serves as the focal point of this big production is much daintier: small enough to perch on a finger, yet still beautiful enough to start a sensation. — Time, "Behind the Scenes of The Goldfinch, a Rare and Delicate Hollywood Specimen," 22 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sensation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for sensation
sensation
noun
English Language Learners Definition of sensation
: a particular feeling or effect that your body experiences
: a particular feeling or experience that may not have a real cause
: the ability to feel things through your physical senses
See the full definition for sensation in the English Language Learners Dictionary
sensation
noun
sen·sa·tion
| \ sen-ˈsā-shən
\
\
Kids Definition of sensation
1
: awareness (as of noise or heat) or a mental process (as seeing or smelling) resulting from stimulation of a sense organ
I felt a tingling sensation in my leg.
2
: an indefinite awareness of a feeling or experience
… I had the sensation I'd been there before.— Avi, Crispin
3
: a state of excited interest or feeling
The rumor caused a sensation.
4
: a cause or object of excited interest
The play was a sensation.
sensation
noun
sen·sa·tion
| \ sen-ˈsā-shən, sən-
\
\
Medical Definition of sensation
1a
: a mental process (as seeing, hearing, or smelling) resulting from the immediate external stimulation of a sense organ often as distinguised 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
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