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
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.
Additionally, ‘Colossus’ is the title of a 1970 science fiction film about a supercomputer that gains sentience. John Werner, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024 This is less troubling than the green, because a black bagel is only a few shades removed from pumpernickel, whereas a green bagel is a few shades removed from the ooze that gives adolescent turtles sentience. Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 14 June 2024 If all of this does not indicate Sunny’s sentience, the facsimile thereof is uncanny. Chris Klimek, Vulture, 17 July 2024 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 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 21 Dec. 2024.

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