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

Trichloroethylene has been classified by EPA as a probable human carcinogen, although its primary effect is impairment of the central nervous system.

—Chemical & Engineering News

Persons 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

Studies show that roughly 11 percent of all kindergarteners have speech or language impairments …

—The Springfield (Massachusetts) Union-News

Examples of impairment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Speech-to-text transcription, sound identification and audio separation technologies are breaking down barriers for people with hearing loss, while visual recognition systems are providing unprecedented independence for those with vision impairments. —Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025

The driver of the car stayed on the scene and showed no signs of impairment, police say. —Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2025

Additionally, the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection asks guests needing special assistance, including those who use supplemental oxygen or have a hearing impairment, to contact the company ahead of time to make proper accommodations. —Amanda Eyre Ward, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2025

While the Minnesotan moose is a hypothetical example, this worm has caused serious neurological impairments in many animals. —Jessie Richards, The Conversation, 12 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above