percept

noun

per·​cept ˈpər-ˌsept How to pronounce percept (audio)
: an impression of an object obtained by use of the senses : sense-datum

Examples of percept in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The stage is the central workspace of the mind, with a small working memory capacity for representing a single percept, thought or memory. Christof Koch, Scientific American, 8 Sep. 2023 The particular conscious perception that Reichert et al tracked was an example of a bistable visual percept. Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 9 June 2014 The machine was able to reveal activation patterns during that period, showing when color perception arose in the brain, and then track that activation for approximately another half second as the percept shifted to a semantic concept—the word the volunteer could use to name the color. Sara Harrison, Wired, 24 Nov. 2020 But more recent research showed that the statistically optimal sensory interpretation or percept is one that combines visual information about the speed of an object with general knowledge that most objects in the world tend to be stationary or slow moving. Robert Jacobs, The Conversation, 19 Nov. 2021 The particular conscious perception that Reichert et al tracked was an example of a bistable visual percept. Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 9 June 2014 That's the sensibility but not the sense, not a percept of a specific face. Adam Rogers, Wired, 24 Nov. 2021 Unfortunately, that's the only way to be sure that any percept input system is working. Adam Rogers, Wired, 24 Nov. 2021 Implanting a specific, reproducible, easily adjustable and completely synthetic percept is no small feat. Jason Castro, Scientific American, 11 Aug. 2020

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

back-formation from perception

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of percept was in 1864

Dictionary Entries Near percept

Cite this Entry

“Percept.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/percept. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

Medical Definition

percept

noun
per·​cept ˈpər-ˌsept How to pronounce percept (audio)
: an impression of an object obtained by use of the senses : sense-datum
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