cognitive impairment

American  

[kog-ni-tiv im-pair-muhnt] / ˈkɒg nɪ tɪv ɪmˈpɛər mənt /

noun

1. a temporary or permanent loss of mental functions, causing forgetfulness, lack of concentration, learning difficulties, and other reductions in effective thinking.

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Etymology

Origin of cognitive impairment

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

As these drugs have given new hope to millions of people with dementia or cognitive impairment, and sales worldwide are skyrocketing, the implications are potentially huge.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 18, 2026

The mild cognitive impairment that Poulsen was diagnosed with in 2019 progressed to Alzheimer’s disease.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

For mild cognitive impairment, those with higher enrichment developed symptoms at an average age of 85, compared to age 78 for those with lower enrichment, a seven-year delay.

From Science Daily • Apr. 15, 2026

In men, the brain showed more shrinkage earlier in the disease’s progression — from normal cognitive health to mild cognitive impairment.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

As a dementia researcher, I am legally required to translate my documentation into formats that are easy for people with cognitive impairment to read.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 14, 2026

Related Words

• debilitation
• impairment
• incapacitation
• intellectual disability
• limitation
• restriction