sensory

adjective

sen·​so·​ry ˈsen(t)-sə-rē 

ˈsen(t)s-rē

1

: of or relating to sensation or to the senses

sensory stimulation

2

: conveying nerve impulses from the sense organs to the nerve centers : afferent

sensory neurons

Synonyms of sensory

• sensorial

Examples of sensory in a Sentence

A study was conducted on sensory stimulation and its effects on the brain.

trying to listen to music while watching the TV and eating dinner caused a sort of sensory overload

Recent Examples on the Web

What else is on the list Beyond lighting and scheduling, a short list of sensory items keeps showing up as the small purchases that reshape a room without a renovation. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 30 Sep. 2026

The researchers say the goal is not to reproduce a sensory cell in its entirety, but to recreate some of its fundamental operating principles. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026

Suppliers including Givaudan, Croda Beauty, Vytrus Biotech and Lucas Meyer Cosmetics by Clariant are developing actives and testing systems designed to support claims about stress, sensory perception and emotional wellbeing. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2026

Heath, who was 10 or 11 at the time, is profoundly autistic with limited language and significant sensory sensitivities. — Sarah Rose Siskind, Curbed, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sensory

• autonomous sensory meridian response
• sensory area
• sensory deprivation
• sensory overload

Rhymes for sensory

• dispensary
• suspensory
• extrasensory
• multisensory
• somatosensory

Kids Definition

sensory

adjective

sen·​so·​ry ˈsen(t)s-(ə-)rē 

1

: of or relating to sensation or to the senses

sensory stimulation

2

: carrying nerve impulses from the sense organs toward or to the brain : afferent

a sensory nerve

Medical Definition

sensory

adjective

sen·​so·​ry ˈsen(t)s-(ə-)rē 

1

: of or relating to sensation or the senses

sensory stimulation

sensory data

2

: conveying nerve impulses from the sense organs to the nerve centers : afferent

sensory nerve fibers