Definition of consciousness
1a : the quality or state of being aware especially of something within oneselfb : the state or fact of being conscious of an external object, state, or factc : 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
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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 of consciousness from the Web
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An Alabama inmate in December coughed for 13 minutes and appeared to move slightly after consciousness tests.
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Shortly after going home, Wilson couldn’t breath and lost consciousness as her father drove her to the Lakeshore Clinic.
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That the Cowboys sit near the top of the sports public consciousness made for an odd juxtaposition when the news came down that three prominent and award-winning sports reporters with long ties to covering the Cowboys—
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Daniel Seuzeneau said the instructor and trainee were performing a tandem jump when the instructor lost consciousness just after exiting the airplane.
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The execution was in contrast to the Dec. 8 execution of Alabama Death Row inmate Ronald Bert Smith, who for 13 minutes heaved and gasped for breath and two consciousness tests were performed before the lethal drugs were administered.
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In December, inmate Ronald Bert Smith coughed for the first 13 minutes of his execution and moved slightly after two consciousness tests.
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Phillips said the victim had regained consciousness, and the deputy asked the victim if there were any other drugs or paraphernalia in the room.
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Becky Bieker was assaulted, suffered a broken nose and briefly lost consciousness in the robbery attempt.
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.
Origin and Etymology of consciousness
see 1conscious
First Known Use: 1605
Other Psychology Terms
CONSCIOUSNESS Defined for English Language Learners
consciousness
playDefinition of consciousness for English Language Learners
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: the condition of being conscious : the normal state of being awake and able to understand what is happening around you
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: a person's mind and thoughts
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: knowledge that is shared by a group of people
CONSCIOUSNESS Defined for Kids
consciousness
playDefinition of consciousness for Students
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.
Medical Dictionary
consciousness
playMedical 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
Learn More about consciousness
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for consciousness Spanish Central: Translation of consciousness Nglish: Translation of consciousness for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of consciousness for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about consciousness
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