sentience

noun

sen·​tience ˈsen(t)-sh(ē-)ən(t)s How to pronounce sentience (audio)
ˈsen-tē-ən(t)s
1
: a sentient quality or state
2
: feeling or sensation as distinguished from perception and thought

Examples of sentience in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Note that the electric windows won’t work in dog mode, to avoid accidental pressing of the buttons, though that’s taking the idea of canine sentience a bit far. Jason Barlow, WIRED, 2 Nov. 2024 In the case of animals, the consequences of under-ascribing sentience are clear, Sebo noted. Saul Elbein, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2024 The closing twist is that some believe AI will at some point in time attain sentience and decide on its own whether to answer our questions. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 So, no sentience; the AI bots have not become self-aware. Reece Rogers, WIRED, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sentience 

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sentience was in 1839

Dictionary Entries Near sentience

Cite this Entry

“Sentience.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sentience. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.

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