sensory modalities

noun

1. The different channels or systems through which the body receives and perceives information from the environment, such as vision, hearing, touch, taste, and smell.

   B2

   countable, often pluraltechnical

   • "The five classic sensory modalities are vision, hearing, taste, touch, and smell."B2
   • "Research on sensory modalities helps us understand how the brain combines information from different senses."C1
   • "Multisensory learning activates several sensory modalities at the same time."B2

2. In broader use, a particular mode of presenting or experiencing information, especially in media or design (e.g., visual, auditory, or kinesthetic).

   C1

   countable, often pluralacademic

   • "The course uses different sensory modalities to accommodate various learning styles."C1