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
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
D4vd's world tour has hit a bump in the road amid a police investigation reportedly involving the singer and TikTok sensation.
—
Edward Segarra, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Dazzled by his older brother’s newfound status as a media sensation, Sheen decided to try acting, too, and was immediately enchanted by the cinematic qualities of being a celebrity.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2025
Sharp, with the burning sensation spreading to his stomach, asked staff repeatedly to call 911, believing he’d been poisoned by the substance, identified in the lawsuit and a paramedics’ report included with it as Dakin’s Solution, which uses bleach as the active ingredient.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
The account is full of puppy videos showing his journey from a tiny puppy to a now-4-month-old internet sensation.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sensation
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Edward Segarra, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Dazzled by his older brother’s newfound status as a media sensation, Sheen decided to try acting, too, and was immediately enchanted by the cinematic qualities of being a celebrity.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2025
Sharp, with the burning sensation spreading to his stomach, asked staff repeatedly to call 911, believing he’d been poisoned by the substance, identified in the lawsuit and a paramedics’ report included with it as Dakin’s Solution, which uses bleach as the active ingredient.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
The account is full of puppy videos showing his journey from a tiny puppy to a now-4-month-old internet sensation.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sensation
Cite this Entry
“Sensation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sensation. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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