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

This leap—from rigid programming to adaptive intelligence—marks a turning point where robots begin to learn, reason and generalize in ways that mirror human cognition. —Ashutosh Saxena, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025

Key Takeaways CoQ10 (CoQ10, or ubiquinone) and vitamin D may boost fertility, cognition, or heart health. —Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 28 Aug. 2025

Researchers shared takeaways from 25 years of studying superagers, people aged 80 and up with exceptional cognition. —Julia Ries Wexler, Health, 27 Aug. 2025

Any aerobic exercise can benefit the brain by improving mood, which in turn aids memory and cognition. —Alexandra Moe, The Atlantic, 24 Aug. 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