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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
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.