mild cognitive impairment

American

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

noun

a stage of cognitive decline, characterized by certain diminished mental abilities, as memory and concentration, but not to an extent that affects daily functioning. MCI

Etymology

Origin of mild cognitive impairment

First recorded in 1975–80

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.

Folate or other B vitamins may help selected groups, such as people with low folate or B12 status, raised homocysteine or mild cognitive impairment.

From Science Daily • Jun. 6, 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

Over the course of the study, 551 participants developed Alzheimer's disease, while 719 developed mild cognitive impairment.

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

She was eventually diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 7, 2026

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023