noun
olfaction
ohl-FAK-shun
Olfaction (noun) means the sense of smell, or the process of detecting airborne molecules. Example: “Dogs rely far more on olfaction than people do.”
noun
1
formal The sense of smell, or the process of detecting airborne molecules.
"Dogs rely far more on olfaction than people do."
"Damage to the nose can affect olfaction."
"The study looked at how olfaction and taste work together."
How to use olfaction
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOlfaction is the technical word for the sense of smell.
When to use it
It is a scientific or technical term, and most people simply say the sense of smell.
Memory tip
Use the related adjective olfactory when you want to describe something connected with smell.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
human olfaction
loss of olfaction
olfaction and taste
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Dogs rely far more on _____ than people do.
Etymology
English took the word from Middle French, which in turn drew on the Latin olfactus, a form of the verb olfacio, meaning to smell. The ending -tion was added to make a noun.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for olfaction
region
cation
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
See all rhymes for olfaction →
Frequently asked questions
What does olfaction mean?
Olfaction is the sense of smell. It also refers to the detection of airborne molecules.
What is the adjective for olfaction?
The related word is olfactory, as in the olfactory system.
How do you pronounce olfaction?
It is pronounced ohl-FAK-shun, with the stress on the middle syllable.
What is the meaning of olfaction?
"olfaction" (noun) means the sense of smell, or the process of detecting airborne molecules.
