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
Older American Indians also have higher rates of cognitive impairment than other US groups, according to research funded by the National Institutes of Health.
—Holly J. McDede, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
The finding could help explain the disease's ravages beyond mental impairment and offers hope for better patient care.
—New Atlas, 7 Nov. 2025
Key Takeaways Hypertension in a person's 30s and 40s is associated with late-life cognitive decline, increasing the risk of mild cognitive impairment and dementia.
—Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2025
Police said impairment does not seem to be a factor in the collision.
—Harry Harris, Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impairment
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Holly J. McDede, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
The finding could help explain the disease's ravages beyond mental impairment and offers hope for better patient care.
—New Atlas, 7 Nov. 2025
Key Takeaways Hypertension in a person's 30s and 40s is associated with late-life cognitive decline, increasing the risk of mild cognitive impairment and dementia.
—Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2025
Police said impairment does not seem to be a factor in the collision.
—Harry Harris, Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impairment
Cite this Entry
“Impairment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impairment. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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