What does sensation mean?
A sensation is a feeling produced through the senses, such as pain, warmth, pressure, taste, or sound. The word is also used more broadly for an intense emotional experience, a striking effect on an audience, or a person who becomes suddenly famous or widely admired. For example, a new product might create a sensation by attracting enormous attention, while someone may describe an unexpected noise as a startling sensation. In its physical sense, sensation is closely connected with perception, although sensation usually emphasizes the immediate experience itself rather than the process of interpreting it. The word carries a slightly elevated tone when used for social impact, suggesting something extraordinary, exciting, or capable of provoking widespread discussion. Its long history reflects the idea of the body and mind receiving and registering experiences from the outside world.
nounA physical feeling or experience produced by the senses, such as heat, pain, taste, or touch. By extension, a sensation may mean a striking emotional or social effect, or a person who causes a particularly strong impression.
- A physical feeling or experience produced by the senses, especially through touch, temperature, pain, taste, smell, sight, or hearing.
- A strong feeling of excitement, awe, or emotional impact.
- A person or thing that causes widespread attention or admiration.
- A noteworthy event or trend that generates public excitement.
"She felt a sudden sensation of cold as the wind swept through the room."
"He experienced a sharp sensation in his shoulder after lifting the heavy box."
"The young musician became a sensation almost overnight after her debut performance."
The plural is used for individual physical or emotional experiences and for people or things that become causes of widespread attention.
"The audience responded with a mixture of excitement and nervous sensations."
From the Latin root meaning ‘to feel,’ sensation is the meeting point between a physical feeling and the social shock of something impossible to ignore.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sensation come from?
The word comes from Latin sensatio, a noun formed from sentire, ‘to feel’ or ‘to perceive.’ English borrowed it during the 16th century, initially for the idea of physical feeling or perception. Its modern senses concerning social excitement developed later, as something that strongly affects the public could be described as ‘making a sensation.’ Related English words such as sensible, sensitive, and sensory continue to reflect the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How sensation is actually used
The word is formal or neutral in general use. In its social senses, it often implies unusually strong public attention and may suggest a sudden rise to fame. The expression ‘a sensation of’ is especially common before a physical feeling, while ‘cause a sensation’ usually refers to public impact.
Easily confused with sensation
A sensation is a feeling or noticeable experience, whereas sensitive describes a person or thing that is easily affected by stimuli or emotions.
When referring to a person who excites attention, sensation can mean a striking success or public impact, rather than a physical feeling.