See sensation in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
the power or process of receiving conscious sense impressions through direct stimulation of the bodily organism: the sensations of hearing, seeing, touching, etc.
an immediate reaction to external stimulation of a sense organ; conscious feeling or sense impression: a sensation of cold
a generalized feeling or reaction, often vague and without reference to immediate stimulus: a sensation of happiness
a state or feeling of general excitement and interest: the play caused such a sensation
the action, event, person, etc. causing such a feeling
See sensation in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(sĕn-sāˈshən)
noun
a. A perception associated with stimulation of a sense organ or with a specific body condition: the sensation of heat; a visual sensation.
b. The faculty to feel or perceive; physical sensibility: The patient has very little sensation left in the right leg.
c. An indefinite generalized body feeling: a sensation of lightness.
A state of heightened interest or emotion: “The anticipation produced in me a sensation somewhat between bliss and fear”(James Weldon Johnson).
a. A state of intense public interest and excitement: “The purser made a sensation as sailors like to do, by predicting a storm”(Evelyn Waugh).
b. A cause of such interest and excitement. See Synonyms at wonder.