amnesia

noun

am·​ne·​sia am-ˈnē-zhə 

1

: loss of memory due usually to brain injury, shock, fatigue, repression, or illness

2

: a gap in one's memory

3

: the selective overlooking or ignoring of events or acts that are not favorable or useful to one's purpose or position

… Americans seemed to develop a willful forgetfulness about the nation's longest military conflict, an amnesia that lasted for nearly a decade.

—Alan Brinkley

amnesiac

am-ˈnē-zhē-ˌak 

-zē-

adjective or noun

or amnesic

am-ˈnē-zik 

-sik

Examples of amnesia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Another study found that creatine can help support those with traumatic brain injuries, showing improvements in amnesia, headaches and fatigue. —Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025

Kwan’s ex-fiancée, Molly (Dianne Doan), who developed amnesia after a car accident several years prior, strolls into Grey Sloan and the two attempt a relationship again … until Kwan learns that Molly’s using him in hopes of getting her memories back. —Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2025

Franklin agreed to the mutual amnesia, though not before hurling a few thunderbolts. —Stacy Schiff, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025

Abraham’s note, reflecting on The Gettin’ and the aftershocks of state violence, refused to let celebration slip into amnesia. —Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 29 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin amnēsia, borrowed from Greek (Septuagint) amnēsía "forgetfulness," variant of amnēstía — more at amnesty entry 1

First Known Use

1772, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for amnesia

• atresia
• babesia
• anaesthesia
• analgesia
• anesthesia
• dyskinesia
• paresthesia
• hyperalgesia
• hyperesthesia

Kids Definition

amnesia

noun

am·​ne·​sia am-ˈnē-zhə 

: severe loss of memory

amnesiac

-z(h)ē-ˌak 

adjective or noun

Medical Definition

amnesia

noun

am·​ne·​sia am-ˈnē-zhə 

1

: loss of memory sometimes including the memory of personal identity due to brain injury, shock, fatigue, repression, or illness or sometimes induced by anesthesia

a period of amnesia after the wreck

2

: a gap in one's memory

an amnesia concerning her high-school years