retardation
[ ree-tahr-dey-shuh n ]
/ ˌri tɑrˈdeɪ ʃən /
noun
the act of retarding or state of being retarded.
something that retards; hindrance.
Usually Offensive. slowness or limitation in intellectual understanding and awareness, emotional development, academic progress, etc.See also mental retardation.
Music. a form of suspension that is resolved upward.
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Also re·tard·ment [ri-tahrd-muh nt] /rɪˈtɑrd mənt/.
Origin of retardation
usage note for retardation
See retarded.
OTHER WORDS FROM retardation
Words nearby retardation
retaliate, retaliation, retard, retardant, retardate, retardation, retarded, retarded dentition, retardee, retarder, retarget
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
British Dictionary definitions for retardation
retardation
less commonly retardment (rɪˈtɑːdmənt)
/ (ˌriːtɑːˈdeɪʃən) /
noun
the act of retarding or the state of being retarded
something that retards; hindrance
the rate of deceleration
psychiatry the slowing down of mental functioning and bodily movement
Derived forms of retardation
retardative or retardatory, adjectiveCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Medical definitions for retardation
retardation
[ rē′tär-dā′shən ]
n.
The condition of being relatively slow in mental, emotional, or physical development.
The extent to which something is held back or delayed.
Mental retardation.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.