notion

noun

no·tion | \ˈnō-shən

Definition of notion

1a(1) : an individual's conception or impression of something known, experienced, or imagined They had different notions of right and wrong.

(2) : an inclusive general concept arriving at the notion of law— Irving Babbitt

(3) : a theory or belief held by a person or group the notion of original sin

b : a personal inclination : whim He had a notion to try skydiving.

2 obsolete : mind, intellect

3 notions plural : small useful items : sundries found the thread she wanted among the shop's notions

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about notion

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Choose the Right Synonym for notion

idea, concept, conception, thought, notion, impression mean what exists in the mind as a representation (as of something comprehended) or as a formulation (as of a plan). idea may apply to a mental image or formulation of something seen or known or imagined, to a pure abstraction, or to something assumed or vaguely sensed. innovative ideas my idea of paradise concept may apply to the idea formed by consideration of instances of a species or genus or, more broadly, to any idea of what a thing ought to be. a society with no concept of private property conception is often interchangeable with concept; it may stress the process of imagining or formulating rather than the result. our changing conception of what constitutes art thought is likely to suggest the result of reflecting, reasoning, or meditating rather than of imagining. commit your thoughts to paper notion suggests an idea not much resolved by analysis or reflection and may suggest the capricious or accidental. you have the oddest notions impression applies to an idea or notion resulting immediately from some stimulation of the senses. the first impression is of soaring height

Examples of notion in a Sentence

He has some pretty strange notions. She had a vague notion about what happened. The study disproves any notion that dolphins are not intelligent. She had a notion to try skydiving. a sewing shop that sells fabrics, books, tools, and notions

Recent Examples on the Web

Handcrafted, American-made, timeless, humble, familial, utilitarian and whimsical, these offerings seemed to be the perfect material incarnation of my notion of holiday spirit, all yummy goodness and light. — Sally Singer, Vogue, "10 Holiday Gifts That Dazzle, Then Largely Disappear," 29 Nov. 2018 So the notion that this has been anything but amazing for the far left and the far right is just ridiculous. — Eric Johnson, Recode, "Why Snap will get acquired before 2020, probably by Amazon," 28 Sep. 2018 This turns our entire notion of justice on its head. — Fox News, "Levin: Democrats and the judicial confirmation process," 24 Sep. 2018 Well, first of all, JOANN's entire stock of yarn, sewing notions, unfinished wood, and 2 oz acrylic paints are all buy one, get one 75 percent off. — Brittney Morgan, House Beautiful, "JOANN Is Having A Crazy 75th Anniversary Sale," 2 Aug. 2018 Although developed in 1903, the notion of double consciousness isn’t unfamiliar to me or other Black people in America today. — Alexis Jones, Marie Claire, "'The Hate U Give’ Is the Movie Version of Growing Up Black in America," 3 Oct. 2018 This was a clear continuation of the Bauhaus notion of gesamtkunstwerk: disparate elements or materials coming together to create a single entity. — Hillary Brown, House Beautiful, "Everything You Need To Know About Mid-Century Modern Design," 13 Sep. 2018 For many, the notion of going home is fraught with even more fear and pain. — Hollie Mckay, Fox News, "Burma's Karen refugees face dwindling aid, struggle with depression and suicides," 15 Aug. 2018 The notion of a national child welfare system, with coherent trends and corresponding lessons, is somewhat illusory. — The Christian Science Monitor, "Extending compassion beyond migrant kids," 26 June 2018

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