[sen.sa.tion] n [ML sensation-, sensatio, fr. LL, understanding, idea, fr. L sensus] (1615) 1 a: a mental process (as seeing, hearing, or smelling) due to immediate bodily stimulation often as distinguished from awareness of the process--compare perception b: awareness (as of heat or pain) due to stimulation of a sense organ c: a state of consciousness of a kind usu. due to physical objects or internal bodily changes "a burning ~ in his chest" d: an indefinite bodily feeling "a ~ of buoyancy"
2: something (as a physical object, sense-datum, pain, or afterimage) that causes or is the object of sensation 3 a: a state of excited interest or feeling "their elopement caused a ~" b: a cause of such excitement "the show was the musical ~ of the season"; esp: one (as a person) in some respect exceptional or outstanding "the rookie hitting ~ of the American League"