# sensor

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈsɛn.sə/ · frequency rank #8,089

## Definitions
1. A device or organ that detects certain external stimuli and responds in a distinctive manner.

## Etymology
Originated 1925–30, formed as a Latin loanword from sentiō (“to feel”) + -tor (“-er”). By surface analysis, sense + -or.

## Easily confused with
- **sponsor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sensor-vs-sponsor)
- **sensory** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sensor-vs-sensory)
- **Spenser** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sensor-vs-spenser)
- **sens** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sens-vs-sensor)
- **sense** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sense-vs-sensor)
- **señor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/senor-vs-sensor)
- **season** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/season-vs-sensor)
- **senior** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/senior-vs-sensor)
- **sector** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sector-vs-sensor)
- **senses** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/senses-vs-sensor)
- **sensed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sensed-vs-sensor)
- **sender** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sender-vs-sensor)
- **sensei** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sensei-vs-sensor)
- **señora** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/senora-vs-sensor)
- **senator** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/senator-vs-sensor)
- **censor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/censor-vs-sensor)

## Common misspellings (9)
`esnsor`, `sennsor`, `senosr`, `sensorr`, `sensro`, `senssor`, `sesnor`, `snesor`, `ssensor`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/sensor