sensation

noun

sen·​sa·​tion sen-ˈsā-shən 

sən-

1

a

: a mental process (such as seeing, hearing, or smelling) resulting from the immediate external stimulation of a sense organ often as distinguished from a conscious awareness of the sensory process compare perception

b

: awareness (as of heat or pain) due to stimulation of a sense organ

c

: a state of consciousness due to internal bodily changes

a sensation of hunger

d

: an indefinite bodily feeling

a sensation of buoyancy

2

: something (such as a physical stimulus, sense-datum, or afterimage) that causes or is the object of sensation

3

a

: a state of excited interest or feeling

their elopement caused a sensation

b

: a cause of such excitement

the show was the musical sensation of the season

especially : one (such as a person) in some respect exceptional or outstanding

the rookie hitting sensation of the American League

Synonyms of sensation

• feeling
• feel
• sense

Examples of sensation in a Sentence

I experienced a stinging sensation in my arm.

She felt a burning sensation in her throat.

She craved new experiences and sensations.

She had the strange sensation that someone was watching her.

I couldn't quite shake the sensation that I'd been fooled.

Her injury left her with no sensation in her legs.

Recent Examples on the Web

His availability for the Jayhawks’ 80-60 victory over the Tigers at T-Mobile Center had nothing to do, however, with the strained hamstring that had forced the freshman sensation to miss seven of KU’s first nine games. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 7 Dec. 2025

Ghost of Yotei Sucker Punch Productions offered a unique level of historical fidelity and cinematic style with Ghost of Tsushima (2020), which turned the game into a sensation that is widely regarded as one of the best AAA games of its generation. —Richard Newby, Time, 6 Dec. 2025

The online response is beyond anything Dickerson expected, and Champion has already become quite the internet sensation due to his unexpected arrival. —Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025

Liu bested Japan's teen sensation Nakai Ami by less than two points to win the top spot. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin sensation-, sensatio, from Late Latin, understanding, idea, from Latin sensus

First Known Use

1557, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for sensation

• ablation
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation

Kids Definition

sensation

noun

sen·​sa·​tion sen-ˈsā-shən 

sən-

1

a

: a mental process (as seeing, hearing, or smelling) that results from stimulation of a sense organ

b

: awareness (as of heat or pain) due to stimulation of a sense organ

c

: an indefinite bodily feeling

2

a

: a state of excited interest or feeling

b

: a cause of such excitement

Medical Definition

sensation

noun

sen·​sa·​tion sen-ˈsā-shən, sən- 

1

a

: a mental process (as seeing, hearing, or smelling) resulting from the immediate external stimulation of a sense organ often as distinguished from a conscious awareness of the sensory process compare perception

b

: awareness (as of heat or pain) due to stimulation of a sense organ

c

: a state of consciousness due to internal bodily changes

a sensation of hunger

2

: something (as a physical stimulus, sense-datum, pain, or afterimage) that causes or is the object of sensation