impairment
noun
im·pair·ment
im-ˈper-mənt 
plural impairments
: the act of impairing something or the state or condition of being impaired : diminishment or loss of function or ability
… it does not help reverse the impairment of cognitive activity caused by diazepam …—
Corby Kummer
Corby KummerTrichloroethylene has been classified by EPA as a probable human carcinogen, although its primary effect is impairment of the central nervous system.—Chemical & Engineering News
Chemical & Engineering NewsPersons with hearing impairments can now get information about local parks and their facilities by calling the recently installed TDD phone numbers within the Parks Department.—Maryland Magazine
Maryland MagazineStudies show that roughly 11 percent of all kindergarteners have speech or language impairments …—The Springfield (Massachusetts) Union-News
The Springfield (Massachusetts) Union-NewsExamples of impairment in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Stage 1: No Cognitive Decline In this stage, there are no signs or symptoms of neurological impairment.
—Jess Sims, Health, 10 May 2024
Excessive speed and impairment are not believed to be factors in this crash.
—Jennie Key, The Enquirer, 8 May 2024
Although neurodivergent students could fall into a number of these categories, the most likely would be speech or language impairment; specific learning disability; emotional behavioral disability, autism and significant developmental delay.
—Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 8 May 2024
According to the website, an undue hardship includes: Not having a form of transportation;
Traveling a long distance to attend your court date;
Having a physical or mental impairment;
Providing care for a dependent and not being able to afford to pay for care, or
Jury duty being a financial burden.
—Angela Rodriguez, Sacramento Bee, 8 May 2024
Goodwill impairment occurs when a company has acquired an asset for more than its fair-market value and then the value of that asset declines.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 7 May 2024
The truck driver, Ruben Gallegos, 34, of Pomona, complied with a sobriety test, which ruled out any impairment, including alcohol or drugs, Jimenez said.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2024
Social isolation, a byproduct of lock downs, further magnified these events in that typical family interactions abruptly ended, leading to a breakdown in families’ ability to spot early signs of decline in function or cognitive impairment.
—Dr. Robert Glatter and Dr. Peter J Papadakos, TIME, 2 May 2024
Driver impairment is not thought to be a factor in this accident and no charges are expected to be brought against the driver, the release states.
—Nwa Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 27 Apr. 2024
Jess Sims, Health, 10 May 2024
Excessive speed and impairment are not believed to be factors in this crash.
—Jennie Key, The Enquirer, 8 May 2024
Although neurodivergent students could fall into a number of these categories, the most likely would be speech or language impairment; specific learning disability; emotional behavioral disability, autism and significant developmental delay.
—Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 8 May 2024
According to the website, an undue hardship includes: Not having a form of transportation;
Traveling a long distance to attend your court date;
Having a physical or mental impairment;
Providing care for a dependent and not being able to afford to pay for care, or
Jury duty being a financial burden.
—Angela Rodriguez, Sacramento Bee, 8 May 2024
Goodwill impairment occurs when a company has acquired an asset for more than its fair-market value and then the value of that asset declines.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 7 May 2024
The truck driver, Ruben Gallegos, 34, of Pomona, complied with a sobriety test, which ruled out any impairment, including alcohol or drugs, Jimenez said.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2024
Social isolation, a byproduct of lock downs, further magnified these events in that typical family interactions abruptly ended, leading to a breakdown in families’ ability to spot early signs of decline in function or cognitive impairment.
—Dr. Robert Glatter and Dr. Peter J Papadakos, TIME, 2 May 2024
Driver impairment is not thought to be a factor in this accident and no charges are expected to be brought against the driver, the release states.
—Nwa Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 27 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'impairment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near impairment
Cite this Entry
“Impairment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impairment. Accessed 17 May. 2024.
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