Merriam-Webter's website defines happiness as “a state of well-being and contentment,." And while this is a good general description, we all have our own outlook on the concept and our own personal spin on it. I asked a handful of college students the same question, simply "define: happiness," to get a glimpse of how differently we all view this emotion.

Below are those views.

"Happiness for me is knowing I'm making my family proud at home and they support me. For me that is happiness."

- 21, male, college student, electronic media and broadcasting

"To me happiness is a lot of things. Being at the beach, breeze blowing in my hair, birds fighting for bread. Playing soccer, that feeling you get when you head the ball with perfect power and direction. That feeling you get when you just sit back and recap on what's happened in your life and you sigh, 'ah life is good.' Family brings happiness. That one joke everyone laughs at that brings up another memory we all share and we start laughing at something else. Don't even get me started about nature. Sunsets and sunrises. The heat radiating off of the mountain, or the ocean conjuring up warm colors. That, to my eyes, is truly the feeling of happiness."

- 19, female, college student, media broadcasting

"Happiness is the state of being content with who you are and what you have."

- 22, male, grad student, finance

"I would define happiness as being completely content with a moment that you're in. Whether it's a stage in your life, with a person, or just a certain moment in the day... etc. Last night I had a dream I was hooking up with Tim Riggins, that’s happiness."

- 21, female, college student, advertising

Happiness:

"1) a momentary feeling of elation caused by something you enjoy—food, buying something new, doing something fun, romance, etc.

2) true long term happiness—being genuinely satisfied with who you are and where you are in your life's journey—it isn't a destination, it's an outlook on life and an attitude you choose to have when facing whatever life throws at you."

- 20, female, college student, political science

"Happiness is realizing that everything you ever wanted is right in front of you. It's that moment that where you are, not where you were or want to be, is perfect. Happiness is that point where you're anxious to wake up every morning because life is that dope. It's like Christmas morning every morning and everyday feels like your birthday. That is happiness."

- 20, male, college student, communications

"The first bite of pizza."

- 18, female, college student, marketing

"I think that happiness is one of those words that you cannot read a definition for and really understand what it means. You have to feel happy to know what happy is, so defining the word is not an easy task. However, if I had to put a definition to the word, I would say that happiness is something you experience (either for a split second or for days at a time) where everything you have been worried, stressed, or concerned about lately is completely forgotten. When you're happy, all you are thinking about is whatever is making you happy. Everything that has seemed so important and urgent the past couple of days is no longer lurking in your thoughts. Happiness grants people a small escape from whatever is going on in their life, giving them a break and allowing them to finally let go again. I think happiness is the most valuable emotion and one that I try to cherish the most when I am experiencing it."

- 19, female, college student, math education

"Happiness comes when you pursue your passion."

- 20, male, college student, criminal justice

"Happiness is a destination. It is something you work towards. People or things can bring you happiness. But ultimately at the end of the day, your happiness is your own. You decide every day to make a step towards happiness or a step in another direction. It is your choice. Happiness is a gift. If you contain it, you should spread some of it into this world. Because not everyone can make it to the destination, find the strength to work for it or recognize the gift of happiness."

- 20, female, college student, advertising

"Happiness is defined in 3 easy steps…

I wonder if I get a high paying job then I’d be happy? Wait no I change my mind… What about a really nice car? Oh and a vacation? This doesn’t make sense though… I finally achieved all those things and I even have an amazing husband and two beautiful kids, and get never-ending vacations, but yet I’m still not happy. Well, maybe I need a divorce and then strive for a promotion? Perfect! That will do the trick. I will be happy when I get that. So let’s rewind all the way back to 'I wonder'… SCRATCH THAT.

Let’s start with this:

Step 1: Gratefulness. I am grateful for my loving family, amazing friends, and many story-telling human beings I have met along this journey called life. Wow, that sounds a lot better.

Step 2: Mindfulness. It is also best to attain mindfulness at such a powerful level that the anxieties of tomorrow and doubts from the past no longer envelop your day-to-day passions.

Step 3: Discover. Even in life’s darkest of moments, a light can always be found and that light is happiness… a perspective already present in the living moment. It is just a matter of recognizing what you already have."

- 21, female, college student, health promotions

"Feeling so much enjoyment doing what you love while striving for your OWN potential that you don’t notice the time passing."

- 20, male, college student, business management

"Happiness is supposedly a way of life. But I sincerely doubt that even the perpetually happy people truly feel that way. Happiness is the fleeting minute within an hour when you feel completely content. You are living in the moment, rather than thinking about the moment or the moments to come. You are not concerned with the past or the future, only what is happening at that exact instant. I would not describe myself as a happy person, nor do I think I ever will be able to do so.

But, I wonder if those that are 'permanently happy' are only ignorantly so. I don’t think I could live happily in ignorance. However, in those moments where I do feel that elevated emotion, almost all counter-thoughts dissipate. I am lying with my dog, laughing with one of my friends, enjoying the comfortable silence with someone I feel 100 percent at ease with, or wrapping myself up so much in a book that I am able to forget the inevitably unfair life and death that awaits us all. Maybe happiness is the ability to forget the cruel world for a beautiful second."

- 20, female, college student, psychology and criminal justice

"Happiness comes in many forms, all of which are specific to each person. I could go into detail about all of the reasons why having self-confidence and loving yourself before anyone else grants pure happiness because that’s what I’ve learned the most this past year. However, instead I’ll tell you about my own little slice of happiness. You might think I’m a total loon or you will totally understand where I’m coming from, but happiness to me is what I witness when coming home to my sweet dogs. I favor one in particular. I am the poster child for a 'dog-lady,' everyone that knows me has seen one of the many pictures of my dog that I show off like an Olympic medal. She is pretty much the Emma Watson of dogs. Back to the point: I make her happier than anyone just by snuggling with her and sneaking her my leftovers at dinner. All I have to do is walk through that door, and I get her jumping around like someone who just won the lottery that’s been living in swamps for months. She reminds me of what happiness is each time I come home. If you don’t have a sweet pet to come home to, your happiness is not at it’s full potential. I can promise you that."

- 19, female, college student, marketing

"Happiness is the moment when nothing feels forced; when conversations and smiles and laughter come effortlessly. The blissful combination of feeling like you have everything around you that matters, but that nothing matters at all."

- 20, female, college student, exercise science

Thank you to everyone who gave me a peek into their soul to put this article together.