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

Respiration is connected to several brain areas, including those related to cognition, emotions and memory. —Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 June 2025

Modeling cognition and emotion demands new kinds of architectures that grow alongside the user. —Boyan Wan, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025

Supplement Delivery Formats Get a Modern Makeover The Vitamin Shoppe’s report found that 69 percent of Americans take supplements with energy, immunity, cognition and bone health as key areas of concern. —Emily Burns, Footwear News, 9 June 2025

Women are aligning their training, productivity and recovery protocols with the natural arc of their endocrine system and seeing measurable gains in energy, cognition, performance, emotional resilience and beyond. —Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 29 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