olfaction

noun

ol·​fac·​tion äl-ˈfak-shən How to pronounce olfaction (audio) ōl- How to pronounce olfaction (audio)
1
: the sense of smell
2
: the act or process of smelling

Examples of olfaction in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Prior studies have also looked at the relationship between olfaction and breathing––but many of these have only been conducted in animals or in people who lost their smell because of viral infections or other more common causes of anosmia. Hannah Docter-Loeb, Scientific American, 22 Oct. 2024 Smell is strongly tied to emotion and memory, Valentina Parma, PhD, a psychologist who studies human olfaction (the sense of smell) and the assistant director of the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, tells SELF. Lauren Mazzo, SELF, 8 Oct. 2024 Fly olfaction can also inform the next generation of tracking devices designed to find the source of an indoor chemical leak. Lizette Ortega, Washington Post, 28 July 2024 Still, Barran was personally acquainted with the oddities of olfaction. Scott Sayare Robert Petkoff Anna Diamond Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 14 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for olfaction 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of olfaction was circa 1833

Dictionary Entries Near olfaction

Cite this Entry

“Olfaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/olfaction. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

olfaction

noun
ol·​fac·​tion äl-ˈfak-shən How to pronounce olfaction (audio)
ōl-
: the sense of smell
also : the act or process of smelling

Medical Definition

olfaction

noun
ol·​fac·​tion äl-ˈfak-shən How to pronounce olfaction (audio) ōl- How to pronounce olfaction (audio)
1
: the sense of smell
2
: the act or process of smelling

More from Merriam-Webster on olfaction

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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