olfaction
noun
ol·fac·tion
äl-ˈfak-shən 
ōl-
ōl-
1
: the sense of smell
2
: the act or process of smelling
Examples of olfaction in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Brain Makes Scents Fossil evidence shows that some 500 million years ago, the earliest vertebrates had already evolved specialized brain regions dedicated to olfaction.
—
Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 3 July 2025
These odor receptors are the first-line sensors that detect odors in our environment, explains Dennis Mathew, a neuroscientist at the University of Nevada, Reno, who studies olfaction at the cellular and molecular levels.
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 27 June 2025
Ultimately, the results improve our understanding of social olfaction, offering new insights into the impact of smell on our relationships.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
But olfaction is particularly intriguing in its dual role as both an asset and vulnerability.
—Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for olfaction
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Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 3 July 2025
These odor receptors are the first-line sensors that detect odors in our environment, explains Dennis Mathew, a neuroscientist at the University of Nevada, Reno, who studies olfaction at the cellular and molecular levels.
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 27 June 2025
Ultimately, the results improve our understanding of social olfaction, offering new insights into the impact of smell on our relationships.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
But olfaction is particularly intriguing in its dual role as both an asset and vulnerability.
—Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for olfaction
Cite this Entry
“Olfaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/olfaction. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
olfaction
noun
ol·fac·tion
äl-ˈfak-shən
ōl-
: the sense of smell
also
: the act or process of smelling
Medical Definition
olfaction
noun
ol·fac·tion
äl-ˈfak-shən
ōl-
ōl-
1
: the sense of smell
2
: the act or process of smelling
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