cognitive
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to cognition; concerned with the act or process of knowing, perceiving, etc. .
cognitive development;
cognitive functioning.
-
of or relating to the mental processes of perception, memory, judgment, and reasoning, as contrasted with emotional and volitional processes.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of cognitive
First recorded in 1580–90; from Medieval Latin cognitīvus, equivalent to Latin cognit(us) “learned, known” ( see cognition) + -īvus -ive
Explanation
If it's related to thinking, it's considered cognitive. Anxious parents might defend using flashcards with toddlers as "nurturing their cognitive development." The adjective, cognitive, comes from the Latin cognoscere "to get to know" and refers to the ability of the brain to think and reason as opposed to feel. A child's cognitive development is the growth in his or her ability to think and solve problems. Many English words that involve knowing and knowledge have cogn- in them such as cognizant "aware of" and recognize "to know someone in the present because you knew them from the past."
Vocabulary lists containing cognitive
Vocabulary from the Introduction to "Reality is Broken" by Jane McGonigal
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In the Know: Cogn, Conn
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Vocabulary from "There Will Never Be an Age of Artificial Intimacy," by Sherry Turkle
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The biomarker remained significantly associated with cognitive impairment even after researchers accounted for amyloid-beta plaques, which are abnormal protein deposits in the brain that can be detected with PET imaging.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 31, 2026
Annual follow-up assessments were then used to monitor changes in memory, thinking, and other cognitive abilities.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 31, 2026
A simple blood test could help identify people at increased risk of Alzheimer's-related cognitive decline years before they experience any noticeable problems with memory or thinking.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 31, 2026
The findings offer new insight into the potential of blood tests to predict future cognitive problems in people who currently show no signs of impairment.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 31, 2026
It is important to keep in mind that a rich musical environment at home and at school will greatly benefit a child’s musical and cognitive abilities at any age.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
