olfaction

noun

ol·​fac·​tion äl-ˈfak-shən How to pronounce olfaction (audio) ōl- How to pronounce olfaction (audio)
1
: the sense of smell
2
: the act or process of smelling

Examples of olfaction in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Smell is strongly tied to emotion and memory, Valentina Parma, PhD, a psychologist who studies human olfaction (the sense of smell) and the assistant director of the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, tells SELF. Lauren Mazzo, SELF, 8 Oct. 2024 Fly olfaction can also inform the next generation of tracking devices designed to find the source of an indoor chemical leak. Lizette Ortega, Washington Post, 28 July 2024 Still, Barran was personally acquainted with the oddities of olfaction. Scott Sayare Robert Petkoff Anna Diamond Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 14 June 2024 For that, machine olfaction needs machine learning. Ambuj Tewari, The Conversation, 30 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for olfaction 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'olfaction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of olfaction was circa 1833

Dictionary Entries Near olfaction

Cite this Entry

“Olfaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/olfaction. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

olfaction

noun
ol·​fac·​tion äl-ˈfak-shən How to pronounce olfaction (audio)
ōl-
: the sense of smell
also : the act or process of smelling

Medical Definition

olfaction

noun
ol·​fac·​tion äl-ˈfak-shən How to pronounce olfaction (audio) ōl- How to pronounce olfaction (audio)
1
: the sense of smell
2
: the act or process of smelling

More from Merriam-Webster on olfaction

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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