experience

noun

ex·pe·ri·ence | \ ik-ˈspir-ē-ən(t)s

Definition of experience

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : direct observation of or participation in events as a basis of knowledge

b : the fact or state of having been affected by or gained knowledge through direct observation or participation

2a : practical knowledge, skill, or practice derived from direct observation of or participation in events or in a particular activity

b : the length of such participation has 10 years' experience in the job

3 : something personally encountered, undergone, or lived through

4a : the conscious events that make up an individual life

b : the events that make up the conscious past of a community or nation or humankind generally

5 : the act or process of directly perceiving events or reality

experience

verb

experienced; experiencing

Definition of experience (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to have experience of : undergo experienced severe hardships as a child

2 : to learn by experience (see experience entry 1) I have experienced that a landscape and the sky unfold the deepest beauty —Nathaniel Hawthorne

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about experience

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms & Antonyms for experience

Synonyms: Noun

expertise, know-how, proficiency, savvy, skills

Synonyms: Verb

endure, feel, have, know, pass, see, suffer, sustain, taste, undergo, witness

Antonyms: Noun

inexperience

Examples of experience in a Sentence

Noun

Human experience is the ultimate source and justification for all knowledge. Experience itself has accumulated in human memory and culture, gradually producing the methods of intelligence called "reason" and "science." —John Shook, Free Inquiry, April/May 2008 Almost as charismatic as the ivory-bill, the California condor passed through a near-death experience and is today regaining a tentative foothold in parts of its erstwhile range. —John Terborgh, New York Review of Books, 26 Apr. 2007 Many of his students have plenty of life experience but … never mastered the academic stuff at school. —Daryl Crimp, New Zealand Geographic, March/April 2007 In the energetic, speculative, socially mobile urban society of the early 18th century, maternal impression, the idea that a child's appearance was directed by the mother's experiences, found advocates among London physicians as easily as it did among myth-fed country fold. —Miranda Seymour, New York Times Book Review, 17 June 2007 Literary London was not merely a great gathering of experiences for [Samuel] Johnson, but a veritable public stew of good words. —Andrew O'Hagan, New York Review, 27 Apr. 2006 The best way to learn is by experience. We need someone with experience. She gained a lot of experience at that job. I know that from personal experience. She has five years' experience as a computer programmer. He wrote about his experiences as a pilot. That experience is one I'd rather forget! She had a frightening experience.

Verb

Performing a risk-reward analysis can often clarify decisions. If the risk of a failed marriage is that you may have to experience heartache and an expensive divorce, you'd better think carefully. If the risk of a bad ski run is that you'll die, you'd better think even more carefully about what you'll gain by taking that risk. —Laurence Gonzales, National Geographic Adventure, March 2008 Of course, many reporters do their best to be accurate, but they must conform to the conventions of their craft, and there is always slippage between their choice of words and the nature of an event as experienced or perceived by others. —Robert Darnton, New York Review of Books, 12 June 2008 I spent 20-some years as a foreign correspondent and experienced my share of harrowing travel. … And unlike the brave foreign correspondents that you see on TV or read about … , I was scared silly. —P. J. O'Rourke, Forbes Life, June 2008 That was one of the worst days I've ever experienced. The patient has been experiencing pain in her left shoulder.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Becoming a national girls junior champion last year was an unforgettable experience. — Clifton Brown, Indianapolis Star, "Center Grove's Erica Shepherd looking for repeat junior title, LPGA future," 14 July 2018 For other Russian cities, though, the World Cup was a transformative experience. — Ivan Nechepurenko, New York Times, "Peeking Around Corners in the World Cup’s Provincial Cities," 14 July 2018 If the Wildcats can harness that emotion the right way, there is enough veteran experience on both sides of the ball to regain possession of the Governor’s Cup. — Jon Hale, The Courier-Journal, "How Kentucky football can win (or lose) against Louisville in 2018," 13 July 2018 Seeing the same show a few days in a row is a strange experience for me as a music fan. — Longreads, "Tennis vs. Tennis," 13 July 2018 This was the first big-game experience for our pitchers. — Bob Narang, Lake County News-Sun, "Comeback kids: Marcus Maristela and Kevin O’Brien help Grayslake Central reach regional championship game," 13 July 2018 As far as involving another person, what happened to Danny that night was the most traumatic experience probably most of us ever had, a truly scary evening,’’ Renteria said. — David Haugh, chicagotribune.com, "Operating on Danny Farquhar's brain didn't change what was in White Sox pitcher's heart," 12 July 2018 Playing in front of a full stadium with passionate fans in the stands is an entirely different experience to playing for an Under-23s side on a training pitch in front of a handful of supporters. — SI.com, "England's World Cup Success Demonstrates the Importance of the Loan System to Player Development," 12 July 2018 Without question, this is a religious experience for a nation of crazed soccer fans, 19.4 million of whom tuned in Saturday to watch England defeat Sweden 2-0. — Sam Farmer, latimes.com, "England riding high on World Cup success as Wimbledon also creates a racket," 11 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Bees are currently experiencing an unprecedented decline in population, and according to a new study conducted by researchers from Royal Holloway University of London, their troubles are far from over. — Meilan Solly, Smithsonian, "‘Safe’ Levels of Pesticide Still Hamper Bees’ Memory and Ability to Learn," 12 July 2018 YouTube TV is currently experiencing a service outage. — Chris Welch, The Verge, "YouTube TV goes down (again) during World Cup," 11 July 2018 Volunteers are compassionate with children experiencing grief and have a few hours on Sundays to facilitate a peer support group. — Courant Community, "Community News For The Windsor Edition," 10 July 2018 The 22-year-old song is now experiencing a renaissance as a meme, as an anthem, and as a rallying cry that is half genuine, half tongue-in-cheek. — Jonathan Clegg, WSJ, "It’s Coming Home: The Meme Behind England’s World Cup Fervor," 7 July 2018 Many instructors, like Kathryn Cornelius, have experienced trauma themselves. — Woman's Day Staff, Woman's Day, "This Yoga Program Helps Victims of Domestic Violence Heal," 5 July 2018 There, guests have the opportunity to experience native culture and observe wildlife such as proboscis monkeys and hornbills while spending nights aboard the Rahai’i Pangun Houseboat. — Phil Marty, chicagotribune.com, "A wild look at Indonesia, a lauded hotel at a winning price and more," 2 July 2018 And both credited experienced players for helping them pick up Allen’s 4-2-5 defense quickly. — Zach Osterman, Indianapolis Star, "IU football freshman class 'just here to work and make a difference'," 29 June 2018 The country is experiencing critical shortages of food and medicine and more than 1 million Venezuelans have fled in recent years. — Sarah Dilorenzo, Fox News, "US VP to focus on Venezuela in 3rd trip to Latin America," 25 June 2018

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

History and Etymology for experience

Noun

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin experientia "testing of possibilities, participation in events, skill gained by practice," noun derivative of experient-, experiens, present participle of experīrī "to put to the test, attempt, have experience of, undergo," from ex- ex- entry 1 + -perīrī, from a presumed verbal base *per- "test, risk," perhaps going back to Indo-European *pr̥h₃-i-

Note: See note at peril entry 1.

Verb

verbal derivative of experience entry 1

Keep scrolling for more