cognition

noun cog·ni·tion \ käg-ˈni-shən \

Updated on: 16 May 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

disabilities affecting cognition and judgment

Recent Examples of cognition from the Web

The team intends to measure factors such as neurodevelopment in children, social cognition and emotional regulation in adults, and all participants’ mental health to aid the reintegration process.

— sara reardon, Scientific American, "Colombia after the Violence," 9 May 2018
He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative disorder that attacks the central nervous system, impairing motor functions and cognition, eventually leading to death.

— dave itzkoff, HWD, "Inside the Final Days of Robin Williams," 8 May 2018
One day before doctors were set to pull Trenton McKinley off life-support, the boy started showing signs of cognition, WALA reported.

— marie simoneaux, NOLA.com, "Alabama boy 'comes back to life' after parents prep to donate his organs: report," 6 May 2018
Their methods of cognition may be entirely different.

— Houston Chronicle, "What does future hold for the offshore sector?," 4 May 2018
The key psychological concept for understanding politics, and one of the oldest, is motivated cognition, or motivated reasoning.

— brian resnick, Vox, "9 essential lessons from psychology to understand the Trump era," 11 Apr. 2018
But the drug, inteperdine, proved to be no better than placebo at improving cognition and function, a revelation that decimated Axovant’s share price and dashed Hung’s vision for the company.

— damian garde, STAT, "The stint that never happened? Biotech vet David Hung wipes Axovant from his work history," 10 Apr. 2018
Today, most educators are trained in social-emotional development, and advancements in brain imaging are increasingly indicating how closely cognition and emotions are linked.

— kyle spencer, New York Times, "Homework Therapists’ Job: Help Solve Math Problems, and Emotional Ones," 4 Apr. 2018
Covering such topics as computing, biology, cognition and chemistry, the podcast is snappy and informative.

— erin blakemore, Washington Post, "Crunched for time? Snack on some science.," 4 Mar. 2018

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

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First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined above

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Other Psychology Terms

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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

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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cognition

Definition of cognition

cognitional

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Origin and Etymology of cognition

Other Psychology Terms

COGNITION Defined for English Language Learners

cognition

Definition of cognition for English Language Learners

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cognition

medical Definition of cognition

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cognition

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