noun

proprioception

proh-pree-oh-SEP-shuhn

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Proprioception (noun) means the sense of where the parts of your body are in relation to one another. Example: “Thanks to proprioception, you can touch your nose with your eyes closed.”

noun

The sense of where the parts of your body are in relation to one another.

"Thanks to proprioception, you can touch your nose with your eyes closed."

"The injury damaged her proprioception, so she had to relearn how to balance."

"Dancers train their proprioception until every movement feels automatic."

How to use proprioception

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishYour body's built-in sense of where its parts are and how they are positioned.

When to use it

It is a technical term used mostly in medicine, neuroscience, physical therapy and sports training.

Memory tip

Break it into pro-pree-oh-cep-tion and stress the fourth syllable, "sep."

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

sense of proprioception impaired proprioception improve proprioception loss of proprioception

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “proprioception” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Thanks to _____, you can touch your nose with your eyes closed.

Etymology

The word comes from proprioceptor, which was built from the Latin proprius, meaning "one's own," plus reception. The British neurophysiologist Charles Scott Sherrington coined it in 1906.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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kinesthesia

Rhymes for proprioception

region ablation allusion emulsion ideation novation diffusion elocution extension oxidation perfusion selection

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Frequently asked questions

What is proprioception?

Proprioception is the sense of where the parts of your body are relative to each other. It lets you move without watching every limb.

How do you pronounce proprioception?

In American English it is pronounced proh-pree-oh-SEP-shuhn, with the stress on the fourth syllable.

Who coined the word proprioception?

The British neurophysiologist Charles Scott Sherrington coined it in 1906.

What is the meaning of proprioception?

"proprioception" (noun) means the sense of where the parts of your body are in relation to one another.