learning disability

noun

: any of various conditions (such as dyslexia or dysgraphia) that interfere with an individual's ability to learn and so result in impaired functioning in language, reasoning, or academic skills (such as reading, writing, and mathematics) and that are thought to be caused by difficulties in processing and integrating information

called also learning difference

learning disabled adjective

Examples of learning disability in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the California Special Education Technical Assistance Network, Hispanic students at the Lincoln campus are disproportionately identified with specific learning disabilities. —Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 3 Mar. 2026

Screeners aren't meant to diagnose learning disabilities like dyslexia, but rather identify areas where kids could use additional support. —Makiya Seminera The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026

Some are left with the long-term consequences of encephalitis — inflammation of the brain that can lead to seizures, blindness, deafness and learning disabilities. —Erika Edwards, NBC news, 1 Mar. 2026

Benner said having three children with learning disabilities has definitely impacted her life. —Mark Curriden, Dallas Morning News, 27 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for learning disability

• communicability
• comprehensibility
• deliverability
• differentiability
• impenetrability
• impermeability
• impracticability
• inaccessibility
• inadmissibility
• inapplicability
• incompatibility
• indestructibility

Kids Definition

learning disability

noun

: any of various conditions (as attention deficit disorder and dyslexia) that interfere with a person's ability to learn basic academic skills

called also learning difference

learning disabled adjective

Medical Definition

learning disability

noun

: any of various disorders (as dyslexia or dysgraphia) that interfere with an individual's ability to learn resulting in impaired functioning in verbal language, reasoning, or academic skills (as reading, writing, and mathematics) and are thought to be caused by difficulties in processing and integrating information

—abbreviation LD

learning disabled adjective