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cognition

noun cog·ni·tion \ käg-ˈni-shən \
|Updated on: 11 Jul 2018

Definition of cognition

: cognitive mental processes
  • A concussion impaired the patient's cognition.
; also : a product of these processes
—

cognitional

play \käg-ˈnish-nəl, -ˈni-shə-nᵊl\ adjective

See cognition defined for English-language learners

See cognition defined for kids

Examples of cognition in a Sentence

  1. disabilities affecting cognition and judgment

Recent Examples of cognition from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cognition.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of cognition

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 1know

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

COGNITION Defined for English Language Learners

cognition

noun

Definition of cognition for English Language Learners

  • : conscious mental activities : the activities of thinking, understanding, learning, and remembering

Medical Dictionary

cognition

noun cog·ni·tion \ käg-ˈnish-ən \

medical Definition of cognition

1 : cognitive mental processes
2 : a conscious intellectual act
  • conflict between cognitions

Learn More about cognition

  1. See words that rhyme with cognition Spanish Central: Translation of cognition Nglish: Translation of cognition for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cognition for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cognition

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