cognition

noun

cog·​ni·​tion käg-ˈni-shən 

: cognitive mental processes

A concussion impaired the patient's cognition.

also : a product of these processes

cognitional

käg-ˈnish-nəl 

-ˈni-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Examples of cognition in a Sentence

disabilities affecting cognition and judgment

Recent Examples on the Web

The Naked and the Dead and Selected Letters, 1945–1946 by Norman Mailer, edited by J. Michael Lennon Seeing the Power in Blindness A writer narrating his increasing loss of vision asks fundamental questions about sight and cognition. —The New York Review of Books, 29 Mar. 2024

Recent studies show that this form of choline taken during pregnancy improves the brain development of the baby and improves cognition later in life. —Casey Seiden, Parents, 15 Mar. 2024

The results don’t show that the supplements definitely improve cognition or can prevent cognitive diseases. —Kristen Fischer, Health, 15 Mar. 2024

Lead consumption can affect the heart, kidneys and nerves, and exposure in children can be particularly harmful, causing impaired cognition, behavioral disorders, hearing problems and delayed puberty, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. —Dakin Andone, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024

Those taking oral vitamin B12 also saw better cognition (25 percent) and language/communication abilities (18 percent). —Discover Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024

Sleep deprivation can also impact our memory and cognition; studies have shown that driving on little sleep can be as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. —TIME, 18 Mar. 2024

Testing How Fiber Affects Memory Researchers set out to understand whether potential changes in the gut microbiome resulting from fiber supplements would enhance cognition and muscle function. —Kristen Fischer, Health, 15 Mar. 2024

In the survey, folinic acid supplements were highly rated as helping with cognition and language or communication abilities. —Discover Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cognicioun "comprehension, ability to comprehend," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French cognicion "knowledge, jurisdiction," borrowed from Latin cognitiōn-, cognitiō "act of getting to know, comprehension, investigation," from cogni-, variant stem of cognōscere "to get to know, acquire knowledge of, become acquainted with, investigate" (from co- co- + gnōscere, nōscere "to get to know," inchoative derivative from Indo-European *ǵneh₃-, *ǵṇh₃- "to know, recognize") + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at know entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

cognition

noun

cog·​ni·​tion käg-ˈnish-ən 

: the act or process of knowing

Medical Definition

cognition

noun

cog·​ni·​tion käg-ˈnish-ən 

1

: cognitive mental processes

2

: a conscious intellectual act

conflict between cognitions