olfaction

noun

ol·​fac·​tion äl-ˈfak-shən  ōl- 

1

: the sense of smell

2

: the act or process of smelling

Examples of olfaction in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Machine olfaction starts with sensors that detect and identify molecules in the air. —Ambuj Tewari, The Conversation, 30 May 2024

Connections to the amygdala, a part of the brain responsible for emotions and olfaction, increased as well. —Tara Wu, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Dec. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

olfaction

noun

ol·​fac·​tion äl-ˈfak-shən 

ōl-

: the sense of smell

also : the act or process of smelling

Medical Definition

olfaction

noun

ol·​fac·​tion äl-ˈfak-shən  ōl- 

1

: the sense of smell

2

: the act or process of smelling