What does "perception" mean?

1. (an opinion or belief) the way you think about something or your idea of what it is like. 2. (sensory awareness) the ability to see, hear, or smell things, and how your brain understands those signals. 3. (insight or acuity) the ability to notice things that are not obvious to others.

perception

US //pɝˈsɛpʃən// UK //pəsˈɛpʃən// per·cep·tion

1 an opinion or belief (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the way you think about something or your idea of what it is like.

a belief or opinion, often held by many people and based on how things seem.

Example

Public perception of the company changed after the news report.

Example

The marketing campaign was specifically designed to shift the public perception of the brand from an affordable option to a luxury staple.
2 sensory awareness (n.)
C1 Advanced Academic Technical Science

the ability to see, hear, or smell things, and how your brain understands those signals.

the neurobiological process of attaining awareness or understanding of sensory information.

Example

Drugs can sometimes change your perception of time and space.

Example

The study explores how visual perception is affected by low-light conditions in elderly subjects compared to younger control groups.
- sensation
- recognition

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3 insight or acuity (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

the ability to notice things that are not obvious to others.

the capacity for insight or intuitive understanding; mental acuity.

Example

She is a woman of great perception who notices every small detail.

Example

His keen perception allowed him to identify the subtle tensions within the room long before any overt disagreement occurred.
- insight
- discernment
- shrewdness
- ignorance
- obliviousness

Origin

From Middle English percepcioun, from Middle French percepcion, from Latin perceptiō (“a receiving or collecting, perception, comprehension”), from perceptus (“perceived, observed”), perfect passive participle of percipiō (“to perceive, observe”); see perceive.