sensory

adjective

sen·​so·​ry ˈsen(t)-sə-rē 

ˈsen(t)s-rē

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

• sensational
• sensitive
• sensorial
• sensuous

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

It's well understood that spiders have poor eyesight and thus sense the vibrations in their webs whenever prey (like a fly) gets caught; the web serves as an extension of their sensory system. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 18 Mar. 2025

Deprived of the sensory experience of seeing illness unfold or watching treatment fail, families struggled to make urgent decisions and to come to terms with medicine’s limited ability to reverse COVID’s many devastations. —Sunita Puri, The Atlantic, 18 Mar. 2025

Inside, there’s a cafe, a conference room, a play area for children, a quiet room for people with sensory and nursing needs, and gender neutral restrooms. —Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 14 Mar. 2025

Although for this global citizen, home is not a singular place but an evolving idea — one that’s shaped by geography, culture, tradition and sensory experiences. —Amy Carleton, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sensory

• autonomous sensory meridian response
• sensory area
• sensory overload

Rhymes for sensory

• dispensary
• suspensory
• extrasensory
• multisensory
• somatosensory

Kids Definition

sensory

adjective

sen·​so·​ry ˈsen(t)s-(ə-)rē 

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 

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