sense

noun \ ˈsen(t)s \

|Updated on: 19 Jul 2018

Definition of sense

1 : a meaning conveyed or intended : import, signification; especially : one of a set of meanings a word or phrase may bear especially as segregated in a dictionary entry

2 a : the faculty of perceiving by means of sense organs

b : a specialized function or mechanism (such as sight, hearing, smell, taste, or touch) by which an animal receives and responds to external or internal stimuli

c : the sensory mechanisms constituting a unit distinct from other functions (such as movement or thought)

3 : conscious awareness or rationality —usually used in plural

finally came to his senses

4 a : a particular sensation or kind or quality of sensation

a good sense of balance

b : a definite but often vague awareness or impression

felt a sense of insecurity

a sense of danger

c : a motivating awareness

a sense of shame

d : a discerning awareness and appreciation

her sense of humor

5 : consensus

the sense of the meeting

6 a : capacity for effective application of the powers of the mind as a basis for action or response : intelligence

b : sound mental capacity and understanding typically marked by shrewdness and practicality; also : agreement with or satisfaction of such power

this decision makes sense

7 : one of two opposite directions especially of motion (as of a point, line, or surface)

See sense defined for English-language learners

See sense defined for kids

Examples of sense in a Sentence

There is an unnerving sense now that technology is driving the culture rather than the reverse. Machines and sites and software are breeding at an exponential clip, and we hapless humans race around trying to adapt. —Steven Johnson, Discover, July 2006
The caricature of neurotic nuns who specialized in corporal punishment and guilt crumbles before the countless examples of women religious who made the difference in determining that a child would eat, or be safe, or have any sense of dignity at all. —Luke Timothy Johnson, Commonweal, 22 Sept. 2006
Because Updike shrinks from giving any real credence to the ideology that drives his plot (in both senses of that word), the book becomes a temporarily enthralling, but ultimately empty shaggy dog story. —Jonathan Raban, New York Review of Books, 13 July 2006
Less distinguished people experience a similar tangling of the senses, some reporting that they can taste the words they speak or see the colors of certain words or numbers. This confounding of perception—called synesthesia—was thought to affect at most about 4 percent of the population, but University College London psychologist Jamie Ward has uncovered the best evidence yet that we may all have a bit of synesthesia. —Kathryn Garfield, Discover, December 2006
All of my senses were on the alert for danger.
We had a sense that something wasn't quite right.
His senses were clear despite his illness.

Recent Examples of sense from the Web

Another option for the court could be ordering the city and its unions to negotiate an alternative solution that makes more sense to both sides than the state labor board ruling.

— david garrick, sandiegouniontribune.com, "If state Supreme Court rules against San Diego on pensions, it could could cost city millions," 14 July 2018
Or what game will make most sense if Patterson wants to get true freshman quarterback Justin Rogers action during the season?

— drew davison, star-telegram, "Gary Patterson rips into new NCAA rule. ‘That’s stupid.’," 13 July 2018
The owner of the Alaska stores had told Deadline that the stores remained profitable, but decided that renewing the lease on the stores didn’t make financial sense.

— natasha bach, Fortune, "Not Even John Oliver Could Save Two of the Last Remaining Blockbusters in the U.S.," 13 July 2018
Oh, here’s something that makes no sense whatsoever.

— recode staff, Recode, "Full transcript: Matt Cutts of the U.S. Digital Service on Recode Decode," 12 July 2018
Two days to find a replacement following an unforeseen death simply makes no sense.

— The Aegis, "Hard look needed at election problems in Maryland [Editorial]," 12 July 2018
Bundling video with other content would make sense for Apple, says Mike Vorhaus, president of research and consulting group Magid Advisors.

— mike snider, USA TODAY, "Cord cutter déjà vu: Streaming channels are looking more like those hated cable TV bundles," 12 July 2018
The cadence of time and the blur of societal changes have taken a toll on our sense of meaning and purpose.

— loren a. yadon, idahostatesman, "In these trying times, return to Jesus and the simplicity of faith for renewal," 12 July 2018
So any date before before 393 would potentially make sense for a Greek story to be shared.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Oldest Known Section of 'The Odyssey' Found on Clay Tablet," 11 July 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of sense

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French sen, sens sensation, feeling, mechanism of perception, meaning, from Latin sensus, from sentire to perceive, feel; perhaps akin to Old High German sinnan to go, strive, Old English sith journey — more at send

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

sense Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of sense

sense, common sense, judgment, wisdom mean ability to reach intelligent conclusions. sense implies a reliable ability to judge and decide with soundness, prudence, and intelligence.

- a choice showing good sense

common sense suggests an average degree of such ability without sophistication or special knowledge.

- common sense tells me it's wrong

judgment implies sense tempered and refined by experience, training, and maturity.

- they relied on her judgment for guidance

wisdom implies sense and judgment far above average.

- a leader of rare wisdom

sense

verb

Definition of sense

sensed; sensing

transitive verb

1 a : to perceive by the senses (see ¹sense 2)

b : to be or become conscious of

sense danger

2 : grasp, comprehend

3 : to detect automatically especially in response to a physical stimulus (such as light or movement)

See sense defined for English-language learners

Examples of sense in a Sentence

The latest feature on air conditioners is a big new plug to help prevent fires. The plug shuts down power when it senses that the air conditioner cord is damaged. —Consumer Reports, July 2005
With very little provocation, magic might have been flying back and forth in an unpleasant and damaging manner. Sensing the danger, Kate stepped between them and raised her hands. "Let us have no more of this. There is a confusion to be cleared up, and I cannot do that in the middle of a brannigan," she said. —John Morressy, Fantasy & Science Fiction, October/November 2004
In Pecnik, he had instantly sensed a kindred spirit. As a boy Pecnik had strapped homemade parachutes to hamsters and tossed them (without harm) from his sixth-story bedroom window; by the time he joined the Croatian national team he was making his own jumpsuits. —William Speed Weed, Popular Science, July 2003
She immediately sensed my dislike.
A motion detector can sense movement.

Recent Examples of sense from the Web

If by then Russia’s last tsar felt abandoned and forgotten, then the family must have sensed it too and shared in his despair.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "Inside the Romanov Family's Final Days," 1 July 2018
Here's our favorite images from the night Jeff Faughender/Louisville Courier Journal Two months into the United Soccer League season and Louisville City FC coach James O'Connor can sense a difference.

— danielle lerner, The Courier-Journal, "LouCity fights to defend USL title amid changing soccer landscape," 22 May 2018
The spirit is remarkably similar to the Wii, which introduced motion-sensing controllers to the world in 2006.

— david z. morris, Fortune, "Nintendo’s New Patent Describes A Joyfully Weird Multi-Touchscreen Game System," 15 Apr. 2018
And that pet can sense the slightest movement toward the leash, racing to the door that leads to the big, happy world.

— beth thames, AL.com, "Long-lost book revives memories of a faithful friend," 12 Apr. 2018
Amazon robots can see your fear Our overlords at Amazon have a new innovation: Fear-sensing robots!

— ben meyerson, RedEye Chicago, "A Kanye fan dating site, Easter April Fools' pranks to beware, and more conversation starters for your weekend," 30 Mar. 2018
On Art During the workshop, participants, outfitted with brain-sensing caps or headbands, will get to create original artwork.

— Houston Chronicle, "Family Fun: Fun with dogs and Rainbow on the Green," 20 June 2018
Rain-sensing wipers are included, along with an infrared-reflective windshield to help keep the damaging sun rays out.

— star-telegram, "Jaguar introduces the XF Sportbrakefor 2018, bringing a wagon to the U.S.," 17 June 2018
Rather than rely solely on photographs and in-person observations, glacier inventories can now be collected via a remote sensing instrument on NASA’s Terra satellite.

— The Atlantic, "The Icelandic Families Tracking Climate Change With Measuring Tape," 6 June 2018

Origin and Etymology of sense

see ¹sense

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1598

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1b

See Words from the same year

sense Synonyms

Synonyms

appreciate, apprehend, assimilate, behold, catch, catch on (to), cognize, compass, comprehend, conceive, cotton (to or on to), decipher, decode, dig, discern, get, grasp, intuit, know, make, make out, perceive, recognize, register, savvy, see, seize, tumble (to), twig, understand;

Antonyms

miss;

Near Antonyms

misapprehend, misconceive, misconstrue, misinterpret, misperceive, misread, mistake, misunderstand;

Related Words

absorb, digest, take in;

realize;

fathom, penetrate, pierce;

Phrases

pick up on;

SENSE Defined for English Language Learners

sense

noun

Definition of sense for English Language Learners

: one of the five natural powers (touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing) through which you receive information about the world around you
: a physical feeling : something that your body experiences
: a particular feeling : an emotion that you are aware of

sense

verb

Definition of sense for English Language Learners

: to understand or be aware of (something) without being told about it or having evidence that it is true
of a machine : to detect the presence or occurrence of (something)

SENSE Defined for Kids

sense

noun \ ˈsens \

Definition of sense for Students

1 : a specialized function or mechanism (as sight, taste, or touch) of the body that involves the action and effect of a stimulus on a sense organ

2 : awareness arrived at through or as if through the senses

He felt a sense of danger.

3 : a particular sensation or kind of sensation

I lost my sense of balance.

4 : the ability to make wise decisions

5 : an awareness or understanding of something

a sense of humor

a sense of pride

6 : a reason or excuse based on intelligence or good judgment

There is no sense in continuing.

7 : a logical, sensible, or practical thing, act, or way of doing

Saving money for the future makes sense.

8 : a meaning or one of a set of meanings a word, phrase, or story may have

sense

verb

Definition of sense for Students

sensed; sensing

: to be or become aware of

My cat can sense the approach of a storm.

Medical Dictionary

sense

noun \ ˈsen(t)s \

medical Definition of sense

1 a : the faculty of perceiving by means of sense organs

b : a specialized function or mechanism (as sight, hearing, smell, taste, or touch) by which an animal receives and responds to external or internal stimuli

c : the sensory mechanisms constituting a unit distinct from other functions (as movement or thought)

2 : a particular sensation or kind or quality of sensation