consciousness

noun

Save Word

con·scious·ness | \ ˈkän(t)-shəs-nəs

Definition of consciousness

1a : the quality or state of being aware especially of something within oneself

b : the state or fact of being conscious of an external object, state, or fact

c : awareness especially : concern for some social or political cause The organization aims to raise the political consciousness of teenagers.

2 : the state of being characterized by sensation, emotion, volition, and thought : mind

3 : the totality of conscious states of an individual

4 : the normal state of conscious life regained consciousness

5 : the upper level of mental life of which the person is aware as contrasted with unconscious processes

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About consciousness

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of consciousness in a Sentence

The medication caused her to enter an altered state of consciousness. The events have become part of the national consciousness. He hopes that he can raise public consciousness of the disease.

Recent Examples on the Web Applied correctly, the subject will lose consciousness. — Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2021 If someone is starting to lose consciousness or has nausea or vomiting, call 911. — Christina Maxouris, CNN, 30 June 2021 An involuntary reflex — the vasovagal response — plunges the pulse and heart rate at the sight of blood, injury or injection, and reduced blood to the brain can cause people to lose consciousness. — Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2021 Without immediate treatment, people can lose consciousness and die. — NBC News, 29 Apr. 2021 Soon after, Gonzalez appears to lose consciousness, the video shows. — David Aaro, Fox News, 28 Apr. 2021 The man then began to lose consciousness and was taken to Banner Estrella Medical Center, the hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Garrett said. — Audrey Jensen, The Arizona Republic, 26 Apr. 2021 Rationing insulin can cause a person to lose consciousness and die if untreated. — USA Today, 6 Apr. 2021 Ahead of these ritual-performances, those assisting would lay mattresses along the ground because the priests and participants were expected to lose consciousness in the course of their practice. — New York Times, 5 Mar. 2021

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More About consciousness

Dictionary Entries Near consciousness

conscious

consciousness

consciousness-raising

Statistics for consciousness

Last Updated

23 Aug 2021

Cite this Entry

“Consciousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consciousness. Accessed 28 Aug. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

Seen & Heard

People are talking about

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for consciousness

consciousness

noun

English Language Learners Definition of consciousness

: the condition of being conscious : the normal state of being awake and able to understand what is happening around you

: a person's mind and thoughts

: knowledge that is shared by a group of people

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

consciousness

noun

con·scious·ness | \ ˈkän-shəs-nəs

Kids Definition of consciousness

1 : the condition of being mentally awake and active Following surgery, she slowly regained consciousness.

2 : the part of the mind involving thought and awareness The memory is preserved in my consciousness.

3 : knowledge of something specified News reports raised consciousness of the problem.

consciousness

noun

con·scious·ness | \ ˈkän-chə-snəs

Medical Definition of consciousness

1 : the totality in psychology of sensations, perceptions, ideas, attitudes, and feelings of which an individual or a group is aware at any given time or within a given time span altered states of consciousness, such as sleep, dreaming and hypnosis— Bob Gaines

2 : waking life (as that to which one returns after sleep, trance, or fever) in which one's normal mental powers are present the ether wore off and the patient regained consciousness

3 : the upper part of mental life of which the person is aware as contrasted with unconscious processes