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-ˈnish-nəl 

-ˈni-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Examples of cognition in a Sentence

disabilities affecting cognition and judgment

Recent Examples on the Web

Confusion or cognitive changes: Confusion and other changes in your cognition are often hallmark symptoms of stroke or dementia. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 23 May 2025

This sparks efficiency excitement and questions about humanity’s cognitive freedom in a landscape of artificial cognition. —Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025

Aging causes a decline in cognition, as does dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease (although the former is a natural process, the latter is pathological). —Paul McClure 14, New Atlas, 14 May 2025

Methylene blue users say that putting a few drops of the chemical in their water improves memory, cognition, sleep, skin aging, energy, and longevity. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 12 May 2025

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