perception

noun

pur-SEP-shuhn/pɚˈsɛpʃ(ə)n/UKpuh-SEP-shuhn/pəˈsɛpʃn̩/

Pluralperceptions

4 meanings of perception

1
nouncountable or uncountable
A clear understanding of something in your mind.
Like a light turning on in your head when something finally makes sense.
Her perception of the problem changed after she heard the full story.
He finally had a clear perception of what the team needed to do.
Similarunderstanding, grasp, awareness, view, impression
Note
2
noununcountable
The way the brain takes in and makes sense of what the senses tell it.
Like a machine that takes in raw signals and turns them into a clear picture.
Our perception turns light and sound into things we can recognize.
A sudden loud noise can scramble perception for a brief moment.
Note
3
noununcountable
The power of the eyes to see things.
Like a camera that can pick out tiny details from far away.
His perception was so sharp he could read the sign far down the road.
Age slowly weakened her perception until she needed glasses.
Similareyesight, sight, vision
4
noununcountable
A sharp, quick ability to notice or understand things.
Like a knife sharp enough to cut the thinnest thread.
Her perception for small details made her a great proofreader.
The detective's perception caught the tiny clue everyone else missed.
Similarinsight, acuity, discernment, acumen, sharpness

Practice

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Origin

From Latin perceptiō, meaning a receiving or understanding, from percipiō "I perceive." It came into English through French.