perception

noun per·cep·tion \ pər-ˈsep-shən \

|Updated on: 8 Jun 2018

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Examples: perception in a Sentence

Definition of perception

1 a : a result of perceiving : observation

b : a mental image : concept

2 obsolete : consciousness

3 a : awareness of the elements of environment through physical sensation

color perception

b : physical sensation interpreted in the light of experience

4 a : quick, acute, and intuitive cognition : appreciation

b : a capacity for comprehension

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perceptional

play \pər-ˈsep-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl\ adjective

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Examples of perception in a Sentence

It is ironic that the impact of smoking on nonsmokers, rather than on smokers themselves, is what finally transformed the regulation and cultural perception of the cigarette. —Allan M. Brandt, The Cigarette Century, 2007
Some drugs cause blurred vision and changes in color perception, or increased tears. —Sallie Tisdale, Harper's, June 2007
The urge of these acolytes is not dramatic but mercantile—to traduce all personal history, to subvert all perception or insight, into gain, or the hope of gain. —David Mamet, Jafsie and John Henry Essays, 1999
Everything is research for the sake of erudition. No one is taught to value himself for nice perception and cultivated taste. —Robert Frost, letter, 2 Jan. 1915
a writer of considerable perception, she remembers how it feels to be confused and insecure
a growing perception of the enormity of the problem

Recent Examples of perception from the Web

Piper has spent decades making art about identity and working through questions of perception as a philosopher.

— jillian steinhauer, The New Republic, "Adrian Piper’s art plays with identity and confronts defensiveness.," 30 May 2018
Humans lives their lives trapped in a glass cage of perception.

— matt simon, WIRED, "Give the Robots Electronic Tongues," 24 May 2018
From a legal standpoint, the appearance of partiality is key, and defense lawyers pointed to the flurry of news coverage surrounding McSpadden's remarks, as well as internet comments as evidence of the public perception of bias.

— keri blakinger, Houston Chronicle, "Judge booted from death row case after racial comments," 22 May 2018
There are specific developments to cite in support of the perception.

— alan j. borsuk, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Borsuk: Rise of quality early education programs are bright spot for Milwaukee," 18 May 2018
Then there was an analysis published last year showing Novartis ranked 14th among 17 large drug makers in terms of public perception, according to the Reputation Institute, a consulting firm that examined seven key areas.

— ed silverman, STAT, "Novartis outlines more steps to contain fallout from payments to Trump’s lawyers," 16 May 2018
As the researchers emphasize, their work highlights a general feature of self-perception: each of us tends to overlook our cognitive deficiencies.

— steve ayan, Scientific American, "10 Things You Don’t Know About Yourself," 15 May 2018
They are not yet indoctrinated into the performance of the system; their powers of perception and inclination to question has not yet been eroded by years of bumping up against oppression both subtle and overt.

— danielle tcholakian, Longreads, "The Manipulative Power of ‘You Understand’," 14 May 2018
The day that rocked Butler University This is crazy, what Brad Stevens is doing, in terms of perception and reality.

— gregg doyel, Indianapolis Star, "Doyel: Look what Brad Stevens is doing in Boston," 14 May 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of perception

Latin perception-, perceptio act of perceiving, from percipere — see perceive

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

perception Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of perception

discernment, discrimination, perception, penetration, insight, acumen mean a power to see what is not evident to the average mind. discernment stresses accuracy (as in reading character or motives or appreciating art).