notion

UK: /ˈnəʊʃ^ən/ US: /ˈnoʊʃən/ ,(nō′shən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

no•tion /ˈnoʊʃən/   n. [countable]

1. an idea or view, esp. one's own view:
   His notion of comfort meant comfortable shoes.
2. a foolish idea;
   whim:
   had some weird notion about space creatures.
3. notions, [plural] small articles, as buttons, thread, or ribbon, displayed together for sale.

no•tion•al, adj. See -nota-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

no•tion  (nō′shən), n. 

1. a general understanding;
   vague or imperfect conception or idea of something:
   a notion of how something should be done.
2. an opinion, view, or belief:
   That's his notion, not mine.
3. conception or idea:
   his notion of democracy.
4. a fanciful or foolish idea;
   whim:
   She had a notion to swim in the winter.
5. an ingenious article, device, or contrivance;
   knickknack.
6. notions, small articles, as buttons, thread, ribbon, and other personal items, esp. such items displayed together for sale, as in a department store.

• Latin nōtiōn- (stem of nōtiō) examination, idea, equivalent. to nōt(us) past participle of nōscere (see notify) + -iōn- -ion
• 1560–70

no′tion•less, adj. 
Synonyms

• 1, 3. See idea. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

notion / ˈnəʊʃən/ noun

1. a vague idea; impression
2. an idea, concept, or opinion
3. an inclination or whim

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin nōtiō a becoming acquainted (with), examination (of), from noscere to know