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-ˈni-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Examples of cognition in a Sentence

disabilities affecting cognition and judgment

Recent Examples on the Web

Additionally, her team found that changes in two kinds of cells, astrocytes and CA1 neurons, help regulate memory and cognition in the aging hippocampus. —Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 26 Feb. 2026

While the Morgan Stanley thesis reflects historical optimism, history’s lessons may not apply cleanly in a situation with a shift from tools that amplify labor to systems that replace cognition. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026

The tool, called multiomic single-cell sequencing, allowed researchers to determine which types of brain cells support memory and cognition as the hippocampus ages. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 25 Feb. 2026

Mild neurocognitive disorder, a stage between healthy cognition and dementia that is common in people aged 65 and older, also has similar signs as ADHD, including missing appointments and frequently losing things. —Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026

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