apprehension

noun

ap·​pre·​hen·​sion ˌa-pri-ˈhen(t)-shən How to pronounce apprehension (audio)
1
: suspicion or fear especially of future evil : foreboding
an atmosphere of nervous apprehension
2
: seizure by legal process : arrest
apprehension of a criminal
3
a
: the act or power of perceiving or comprehending something
a person of dull apprehension
b
: the result of apprehending something mentally : conception
according to popular apprehension

Did you know?

Latin Helps Build Apprehension

The Latin verb prehendere really grabs our attention. It means "to grasp" or "to seize," and it is an ancestor of various English words. It teamed up with the prefix ad- (which takes the form ap- before p and means "to," "toward," or "near") to form apprehendere, the Latin predecessor of our words apprehension, apprehend, and apprehensive. When prehendere joined the prefix com- ("with," "together," "jointly"), Latin got comprehendere, and English eventually got comprehend, comprehension, and comprehensive. Prehendere also gave us the words comprise, prehensile ("adapted for seizing or grasping"), prison, reprehend, and reprise, among others.

Examples of apprehension in a Sentence

The thought of moving to a new city fills me with apprehension. an increased number of apprehensions
Recent Examples on the Web Over the past three years, Owens' agency has reported record levels of migrant apprehensions along the southern border, including more than 2 million in each of the past fiscal years. Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2024 Part of Governor Hochul’s plan to quiet rider apprehension — and to lure back those who have given up on the subway altogether — involves additional security cameras and more random bag checks, of the kind the police department has conducted for nearly 20 years. Ginia Bellafante, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024 Birmingham police began investigating Mahogany’s disappearance as a missing persons case following her Sunday text message, the chief said, noting that her family’s quick response and citizens’ participation in the search led to the quick apprehension of the seven suspects. Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024 European diplomats in Washington barely disguise their confidence and trust in the Biden administration, and their apprehensions of what may come should Trump defeat him in November. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 13 Feb. 2024 Cyrus has no live dates upcoming after expressing her apprehension about touring. Spin Staff, SPIN, 5 Feb. 2024 In the past two fiscal years, Border Patrol has recorded over 2 million apprehensions of migrants who entered the country illegally, the highest tallies in the agency's history. Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2024 President Biden plans to visit the southern border in Brownsville, Texas, this week, though apprehensions in the sector are some of the lowest across the border, according to recent data. Greg Wehner, Fox News, 27 Feb. 2024 Additionally, there’s apprehension regarding bike lanes‌ encroaching on parking spaces. The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'apprehension.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin apprehension-, apprehensio, from Latin apprehendere — see apprehend

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Time Traveler
The first known use of apprehension was in the 14th century

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near apprehension

Cite this Entry

“Apprehension.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apprehension. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

apprehension

noun
ap·​pre·​hen·​sion ˌap-ri-ˈhen-chən How to pronounce apprehension (audio)
1
2
: an understanding of something
3
: fear of or uncertainty about what may be coming

Legal Definition

apprehension

noun
ap·​pre·​hen·​sion ˌa-pri-ˈhen-chən How to pronounce apprehension (audio)
: arrest

More from Merriam-Webster on apprehension

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!