proprioception

noun

UK /ˌprəʊpriəˈsɛpʃən/

US /ˌproʊpriəˈsɛpʃən/

Proprioception is your body's hidden sense that tells you where your arms and legs are, even when your eyes are closed.

Thanks to proprioception, she could touch her nose with her eyes shut.

SYNONYMS

body sense position sense kinesthesia movement sense spatial awareness

RELATED WORDS

balance coordination muscle joint nervous system

OTHER MEANINGS

2. The unconscious perception of movement and spatial orientation arising from stimuli within the body.

Physical therapists test proprioception after a knee injury.

3. The sensory feedback system that helps maintain posture and stability.

Dancers train their proprioception to stay balanced while spinning.

4. The ability to sense the position and movement of body parts without looking.

Proprioception lets you climb stairs without watching your feet.