sen·sa·tion

[sen-sey-shuhn]
noun
1.
the operation or function of the senses; perception or awareness of stimuli through the senses.
2.
a mental condition or physical feeling resulting from stimulation of a sense organ or from internal bodily change, as cold or pain.
3.
Physiology. the faculty of perception of stimuli.
4.
a general feeling not directly attributable to any given stimulus, as discomfort, anxiety, or doubt.
5.
a mental feeling, especially a state of excited feeling.
6.
a state of excited feeling or interest caused among a number of persons or throughout a community, as by some rumor or occurrence.
7.
a cause of such feeling or interest: The new Brazilian movie was the sensation of the film festival.
Origin:
1605–15; < Medieval Latin sēnsātiōn- (stem of sēnsātiō), equivalent to Late Latin sēnsāt(us) sensate + -iōn- -ion

Related forms
sen·sa·tion·less, adjective
non·sen·sa·tion, noun
re·sen·sa·tion, noun
sub·sen·sa·tion, noun

Synonyms
2, 4. See sense. 6. excitement, stimulation, animation; agitation, commotion, perturbation.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To sensation
00:10
Sensation is always a great word to know.
So is respond. Does it mean:
the circulation of blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation and back to the heart
to exhibit some action or effect as if in answer
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Collins
World English Dictionary
sensation (sɛnˈseɪʃən) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—n
1.  the power of perceiving through the senses
2.  a physical condition or experience resulting from the stimulation of one of the sense organs: a sensation of warmth
3.  a general feeling or awareness: a sensation of fear
4.  a state of widespread public excitement: his announcement caused a sensation
5.  anything that causes such a state: your speech was a sensation
 
[C17: from Medieval Latin sensātiō, from Late Latin sensātussensate]
 
sen'sationless
 
—adj

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

sensation
1615, "a reaction to external stimulation of the sense organs," from M.L. sensationem (nom. sensatio), from L.L. sensatus "endowed with sense, sensible," from L. sensus "feeling" (see sense). Meaning "state of shock, surprise, in a community" first recorded 1779.
"The great object of life is sensation -- to feel that we exist, even though in pain. It is this 'craving void' which drives us to gaming -- to battle, to travel -- to intemperate, but keenly felt, pursuits of any description, whose principal attraction is the agitation inseparable from their accomplishment." [Lord Byron]
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

sensation sen·sa·tion (sěn-sā'shən)
n.

  1. A perception associated with stimulation of a sense organ or with a specific body condition.

  2. The faculty to feel or perceive; physical sensibility.

  3. An indefinite, generalized body feeling.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Example sentences
He shows the same mastery in his delineation of the hidden germs of feeling as
  of those of sensation.
Any contact which arises at a sense door, or thought in the mind, has a
  corresponding sensation on the body.
The ruling faculty is a critical perception, a commentary upon experienced
  feeling and sensation.
Some patients describe dizziness not as a sensation in their head, but rather
  as a feeling of being off-balance when walking.
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