consciousness
noun
con·scious·ness
ˈkän(t)-shəs-nəs 
1
a
: the quality or state of being aware especially of something within oneself
b
: the state or fact of being conscious of an external object, state, or fact
c
: awareness
especially
: concern for some social or political cause
The organization aims to raise the political consciousness of teenagers.
2
: the state of being characterized by sensation, emotion, volition, and thought : mind
3
: the totality of conscious states of an individual
4
: the normal state of conscious life
regained consciousness
5
: the upper level of mental life of which the person is aware as contrasted with unconscious processes
Synonyms
Examples of consciousness in a Sentence
The medication caused her to enter an altered state of consciousness.
The events have become part of the national consciousness.
He hopes that he can raise public consciousness of the disease.
Recent Examples on the Web
Wigner, in his musings, argued that consciousness must be dealt with differently than all else.
—
Anil Ananthaswamy, Scientific American, 25 June 2024
Through his guidance, clients not only expand consciousness but unlock innovative solutions, revealing new pathways to success previously obscured by fear and doubt.
—Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 25 June 2024
Keeping the Baba-Nyonya Culture of Penang Alive Identity consciousness among Malaysian Chinese Peranakans is on the rise as the Babas and Nyonyas seek to celebrate and preserve their unique heritage.
—JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2024
The idea that consciousness emerges naturally alongside intelligence could be an anthropocentric distortion.
—Big Think, 24 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for consciousness 
Anil Ananthaswamy, Scientific American, 25 June 2024
Through his guidance, clients not only expand consciousness but unlock innovative solutions, revealing new pathways to success previously obscured by fear and doubt.
—Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 25 June 2024
Keeping the Baba-Nyonya Culture of Penang Alive Identity consciousness among Malaysian Chinese Peranakans is on the rise as the Babas and Nyonyas seek to celebrate and preserve their unique heritage.
—JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2024
The idea that consciousness emerges naturally alongside intelligence could be an anthropocentric distortion.
—Big Think, 24 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for consciousness
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'consciousness.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to consciousness
Dictionary Entries Near consciousness
Cite this Entry
“Consciousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consciousness. Accessed 10 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
consciousness
noun
con·scious·ness
ˈkän-chəs-nəs
1
: the condition of being conscious
2
: the normal state of conscious life in contrast to sleep or an insensible state
3
: the part of mental life that involves conscious thought and awareness
Medical Definition
consciousness
noun
con·scious·ness
ˈkän-chə-snəs
1
: the totality in psychology of sensations, perceptions, ideas, attitudes, and feelings of which an individual or a group is aware at any given time or within a given time span
altered states of consciousness, such as sleep, dreaming and hypnosis—Bob Gaines
Bob Gaines2
: waking life (as that to which one returns after sleep, trance, or fever) in which one's normal mental powers are present
the ether wore off and the patient regained consciousness
3
: the upper part of mental life of which the person is aware as contrasted with unconscious processes
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