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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
2a : the faculty of perceiving by means of sense organsb : a specialized function or mechanism (such as sight, hearing, smell, taste, or touch) by which an animal receives and responds to external or internal stimulic : 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
4a : a particular sensation or kind or quality of sensation a good sense of balanceb : a definite but often vague awareness or impression felt a sense of insecurity a sense of dangerc : a motivating awareness a sense of shamed : a discerning awareness and appreciation her sense of humor
5 : consensus the sense of the meeting
6a : capacity for effective application of the powers of the mind as a basis for action or response : intelligenceb : 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)
From the M-W Editors
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
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The change was inevitable, according to Lupetin, in the sense that a little reinvigoration was needed.
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This makes sense up to around a 10-foot gap but my complaint was directed more to the people who leave 15 or more feet, which has ramifications for everyone behind them.
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To me that makes more sense than assessing every kid a fee.
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Helen Ferre, the White House director of media affairs, screens the requests and gets a sense of the questions to prepare Spicer for the briefing.
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So the fact that women have not had these kinds of opportunities to any large degree makes no sense.
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That string of numbers always gave me a sense of hopelessness.
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Now, there are a few versions of this theory that could make sense.
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This makes sense--here on Earth, light from the sun pretty much always is coming from either directly above us, or above us at an angle.
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
Synonym Discussion of sense
Definition of sense
sensed
;sensing
transitive verb
1a : 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)
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.
Origin and Etymology of sense
see 1sense
SENSE Defined for English Language Learners
sense
playDefinition of sense for English Language Learners
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: one of the five natural powers (touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing) through which you receive information about the world around you
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: a physical feeling : something that your body experiences
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: a particular feeling : an emotion that you are aware of
sense
playDefinition of sense for English Language Learners
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: to understand or be aware of (something) without being told about it or having evidence that it is true
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of a machine : to detect the presence or occurrence of (something)
SENSE Defined for Kids
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
Definition of sense for Students
sensed
;sensing
: to be or become aware of My cat can sense the approach of a storm.
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of sense
1a: the faculty of perceiving by means of sense organsb: a specialized function or mechanism (as sight, hearing, smell, taste, or touch) by which an animal receives and responds to external or internal stimulic: the sensory mechanisms constituting a unit distinct from other functions (as movement or thought)
2: a particular sensation or kind or quality of sensation a good sense of balance
Learn More about sense
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sense Spanish Central: Translation of sense Nglish: Translation of sense for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sense for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sense
Seen and Heard
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