perceptual

adjective

per·​cep·​tu·​al (ˌ)pər-ˈsep-chə-wəl How to pronounce perceptual (audio)
-chəl, 
-shwəl
: of, relating to, or involving perception especially in relation to immediate sensory experience
perceptually adverb

Examples of perceptual in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Thousands of studies have examined perceptual awareness, but the equivalent question for action has gone largely unasked. — Peter Jurich, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026 Each design was simulated spinning mid-flight and overlaid on 100 real-world backgrounds, then scored by a perceptual model built to mimic human vision, where a lower score meant better camouflage. — New Atlas, 17 July 2026 The aim is not to eliminate the heat, but to reduce its physiological and perceptual cost. — Alan McCall, New York Times, 11 July 2026 Also, 10-to-90 percent isn’t a fair perceptual metric. — IEEE Spectrum, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for perceptual

Word History

Etymology

percept + -ual (as in conceptual)

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of perceptual was in 1878

Browse Nearby Words

perceptivity
perceptual
perceptually
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Perceptual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perceptual. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Medical Definition

perceptual

adjective
per·​cep·​tu·​al (ˌ)pər-ˈsep-chə(-wə)l, -ˈsepsh-wəl How to pronounce perceptual (audio)
: of, relating to, or involving perception especially in relation to immediate sensory experience
auditory perceptual deficits
perceptually
-ē How to pronounce perceptual (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on perceptual

Nglish: Translation of perceptual for Spanish Speakers

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