amnesia
noun
\
Definition of amnesia
1 : loss of memory due usually to brain injury, shock, fatigue, repression, or illness
2 : a gap in one's memory
3 : the selective overlooking or ignoring of events or acts that are not favorable or useful to one's purpose or position … Americans seemed to develop a willful forgetfulness about the nation's longest military conflict, an amnesia that lasted for nearly a decade. —Alan Brinkley
Keep scrolling for more
Other words from amnesia
-zē-
\
or
amnesic
\-zik,
-sik
\
adjective or noun
Examples of amnesia in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
To ignore this border reality is to suffer from historical amnesia. — Peter Andreas, Washington Post, "Breaking border laws is as American as it gets," 3 July 2018 In actual fact, Chandler seems to regularly suffer from amnesia. — Harper's BAZAAR, "11 'Friends' Plot Holes Fans Are Still Obsessing About," 22 Apr. 2017 To understand the extent of Garland’s amnesia, investigators have also interviewed neurologists who consult with the National Football League and the Defense Department. — Nick Miroff, Washington Post, "Border Patrol agent died in fall, according to memo contradicting Trump’s claim of attack," 7 Feb. 2018 In fairytales, food is often the drug that leads protagonists to getting lost, if not to total amnesia. — Frances Leech, Longreads, "Forgetting the Madeleine," 3 May 2018 For example, one of my favorite roses is called amnesia. — Roxanne Washington, cleveland.com, "Former White House Chief Floral Designer Laura Dowling appearing at Akron Home & Flower Show (photos)," 21 Feb. 2018 Eclectic Full Contact Theatre presents David Lindsay-Abaire's nails-on-a-chalkboard farce about a woman whose amnesia makes each day a completely blank slate. — Dmitry Samarov, Chicago Reader, "The farce Fuddy Meers makes a critic long for amnesia," 22 June 2018 The drug has been linked to amnesia in some case reports. — Ashley May, USA TODAY, "Roseanne Barr blames Ambien for racist tweet. What are the drug's real side effects?," 30 May 2018 But to give any assurances about what Trump will or won't do requires a very convenient brand of amnesia. — Aaron Blake, Washington Post, "Trump clearly wants to fire Mueller," 11 Apr. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'amnesia.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for amnesia
amnesia
noun
English Language Learners Definition of amnesia
medical : a condition in which a person is unable to remember things because of brain injury, shock, or illness
See the full definition for amnesia in the English Language Learners Dictionary
amnesia
noun
\
Kids Definition of amnesia
: an abnormal and usually complete loss of one's memory
amnesia
noun
\
Medical Definition of amnesia
1 : loss of memory sometimes including the memory of personal identity due to brain injury, shock, fatigue, repression, or illness or sometimes induced by anesthesia a period of amnesia after the wreck
2 : a gap in one's memory an amnesia concerning her high-school years
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on amnesia
What made you want to look up amnesia? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Musical Words Quiz
-
- Which word describes a musical performance marked by the absence of instrumental accompaniment?
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Share amnesia
Resources for amnesia