perception

noun per·cep·tion \ pər-ˈsep-shən \

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

—

perceptional

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

See perception defined for English-language learners

See perception defined for kids

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

So don’t let your perceptions of who a hacker is stop you from giving the field a shot.

— amanda rousseau, Teen Vogue, "What Being a Female Hacker Is Really Like," 28 Aug. 2017
Those suffering with substance abuse need the support of the community, and to achieve that, people have to change their perception of this disease, officials said.

— susan demar lafferty, Daily Southtown, "Heroin forum: Change the stigma of an 'addict'," 24 Aug. 2017
The cerebellum plays a critical role in planning and coordinating future movements, a process that requires constantly updating one’s perception of the outside world.

— emily underwood, Science | AAAS, "How your mind protects you against hallucinations," 10 Aug. 2017
And perceptions of the President as someone who will bring change are fading.

— tina nguyen, vanityfair.com, "Is MAGA Nation Abandoning Trump?," 8 Aug. 2017
That is sufficient for human-level perception and mechanical control.

— bill huang, Scientific American Blog Network, "Robots with Their Heads in the Clouds," 2 Aug. 2017
Trump didn't stop there in undermining public perceptions about the Bill of Rights.

— andrew cohen, Esquire, "How the President Undermined Police Chiefs," 31 July 2017
That perception would, in turn, further encourage Democrats to be the party of impeachment.

— jonathan s. tobin, National Review, "Trump’s Dangerous Veto Temptation," 26 July 2017
Men’s perception of their relative status has also fallen in Europe.

— The Economist, "The power of populists," 20 July 2017

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

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perception Synonyms

Synonyms

discernment, insight, wisdom, perceptiveness, perceptivity, sagaciousness, sagacity, sageness, sapience

Antonyms

incomprehension, noncomprehension

Near Antonyms

density, dullness (also dulness), obtuseness; brainlessness, folly, foolishness, idiocy, imbecility, mindlessness, silliness, simplemindedness, simpleness, stupidity, witlessness; illogic, irrationality, unreasonableness, unsoundness; craziness, insanity, lunacy, madness; preposterousness, senselessness, silliness, zaniness

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).

- the discernment to know true friends

discrimination stresses the power to distinguish and select what is true or appropriate or excellent.

- the discrimination that develops through listening to a lot of great music

perception implies quick and often sympathetic discernment (as of shades of feeling).

- a novelist of keen perception into human motives

penetration implies a searching mind that goes beyond what is obvious or superficial.

- lacks the penetration to see the scorn beneath their friendly smiles

insight suggests depth of discernment coupled with understanding sympathy.

- a documentary providing insight into the plight of the homeless

acumen implies characteristic penetration combined with keen practical judgment.

- a director of reliable box-office acumen

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

PERCEPTION Defined for English Language Learners

perception

noun

Definition of perception for English Language Learners

: the way you think about or understand someone or something
: the ability to understand or notice something easily
: the way that you notice or understand something using one of your senses

PERCEPTION Defined for Kids

perception

noun per·cep·tion \ pər-ˈsep-shən \

Definition of perception for Students

1 :a judgment resulting from awareness or understanding

Visiting the beautiful park changed her perception of the city.

2 :the ability to understand (as meanings and ideas)

He's a child of remarkable perception.

3 :understanding or awareness gained through the use of the senses

depth perception

Medical Dictionary

perception

noun per·cep·tion \ pər-ˈsep-shən \

medical Definition of perception

:awareness of the elements of environment through physical sensation

color perception

some sensation of perception of the extremity after amputation is felt by 98% of patients
—Orthopedics & Traumatic Surgery

— compare sensation 1a

Learn More about perception

See words that rhyme with perception Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for perception Spanish Central: Translation of perception Nglish: Translation of perception for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of perception for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about perception

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perception

Definition of perception

perceptional

From the M-W Editors

Examples of perception in a Sentence

Recent Examples of perception from the Web

Origin and Etymology of perception

perception Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of perception

Other Psychology Terms

PERCEPTION Defined for English Language Learners

perception

Definition of perception for English Language Learners

PERCEPTION Defined for Kids

perception

Definition of perception for Students

Medical Dictionary

perception

medical Definition of perception

Learn More about perception

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