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-ˈni-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Examples of cognition in a Sentence

disabilities affecting cognition and judgment

Recent Examples on the Web

What started as a simple birthday gift between spouses in a South Carolina home became one of the most remarkable stories in the study of animal cognition. —Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2026

Differences in sleep, cognition and heart health measures were more subtle. —Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026

Experts think the connection between type 1 diabetes and dementia risk stems from the way that diabetes can damage blood vessels, leading to brain changes that may affect memory and cognition over time. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 19 Mar. 2026

This means that these roaches, and perhaps other insects, may have more sophisticated cognition and social behavior than researchers once thought. —Ari Daniel, NPR, 18 Mar. 2026

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

Rhymes for cognition

• addition
• admission
• ambition
• attrition
• audition
• clinician
• coition
• commission
• condition
• contrition
• dentition
• dismission

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