Perceive meaning

pər-sēv'
To see, to be aware of, to understand.
verb
4
1
To cause or allow the mind to become aware of (a stimulus).

The ear perceives sounds.

verb
2
0
To grasp mentally; take note (of); observe.
verb
2
1
To become aware (of) through one of the senses, esp. through sight.
verb
0
0
Perceive is defined as to see, hear or feel something or to have an understanding of something.

An example of perceive is what a woman might think about giving birth after hearing other women's birth stories.

verb
0
1
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To achieve understanding of; apprehend.

Einstein perceived that energy and matter are equivalent.

verb
0
1
To regard or consider; deem.

An old technology that is still perceived as useful; a politician who is perceived to be a dissembler.

verb
0
1
To become aware of (something) directly through any of the senses, especially sight or hearing.

We could perceive three figures in the fog.

verb
0
1

Origin of perceive

From Middle English perceiven, from Old French percevoir, perceveir, from Latin percipere, past participle perceptus (“take hold of, obtain, receive, observe"), from per (“by, through") + capere (“to take"); see capable. Compare conceive, deceive, receive.

Sentence Examples

  • I perceive pressure, heat, color, sound, flavor and odor in my five senses.

  • With a unique vantage point into the world, they were able to perceive what she couldn't see.

  • Sometimes we perceive things as what we want them to be instead of what they actually are.

  • I perceive that you are curiously constructed, and that if you cannot breathe you cannot keep alive.

  • How do our eyes perceive the world around us?

More sentences →

Related articles

Words near perceive in the Dictionary