sensory

adjective

sen·​so·​ry ˈsen(t)-sə-rē How to pronounce sensory (audio)
ˈsen(t)s-rē
Synonyms of sensory
1
: of or relating to sensation or to the senses
sensory stimulation
2
: conveying nerve impulses from the sense organs to the nerve centers : afferent
sensory neurons

Synonyms of sensory

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Examples of sensory in a Sentence

A study was conducted on sensory stimulation and its effects on the brain. trying to listen to music while watching the TV and eating dinner caused a sort of sensory overload
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.
Her interactions with the landscape are sensory and in the moment. — Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026 For many, the awe-inspiring feeling of totality, when the moon completely blocks the sun, isn't just a visual spectacle but a full-body sensory experience. — Julia Eskins, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2026 At a high level, organic and inorganic machines both convert sensory inputs into data. — Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2026 Anger and fear were processed in the right ectosylvian gyrus and the left splenal gyrus—the former integrating visual, auditory, and other sensory information, and the latter managing visual perception, spatial orientation, and episodic memory. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sensory

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sensory was in 1651

Phrases Containing sensory

Rhymes for sensory

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Browse Nearby Words

sensorium
sensory
sensory area
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Cite this Entry

“Sensory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sensory. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sensory

adjective
sen·​so·​ry ˈsen(t)s-(ə-)rē How to pronounce sensory (audio)
1
: of or relating to sensation or to the senses
sensory stimulation
2
: carrying nerve impulses from the sense organs toward or to the brain : afferent
a sensory nerve

Medical Definition

sensory

adjective
sen·​so·​ry ˈsen(t)s-(ə-)rē How to pronounce sensory (audio)
1
: of or relating to sensation or the senses
sensory stimulation
sensory data
2
: conveying nerve impulses from the sense organs to the nerve centers : afferent
sensory nerve fibers

More from Merriam-Webster on sensory

Nglish: Translation of sensory for Spanish Speakers

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