Definition of cognitive
1 : of, relating to, being, or involving conscious intellectual activity (such as thinking, reasoning, or remembering) cognitive impairment
2 : based on or capable of being reduced to empirical factual knowledge
cognitively
adverbFrom the M-W Editors
Examples of cognitive in a Sentence
Homo sapiens' survival is founded in their filling an evolutionary niche referred to as the cognitive niche. —Daniel Grassam, Skeptical Inquirer, July/August 2001
Researchers are debating whether heading balls can dent the cognitive skills of young soccer players for life. —Lisa McLaughlin, Time, 5 June 2000
Further into the forebrain, motor functions trail off and cognitive functions, involving planning and thinking about the future, begin. —Sandra Blakeslee, New York Times, 8 Nov. 1994
Recent Examples of cognitive from the Web
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The White House does not have a monopoly on cognitive dissonance in America.
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Prenatal exposure to meth also results in children having anxiety or depression and cognitive problems that could lead to poorer academic outcomes.
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There are many health conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression, cognitive decline and osteoporosis that can affect hearing loss.
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Objects from earlier phases of a patient’s life that are connected to comfortable feelings can lead to physical and cognitive improvement, Megges said.
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Talks will focus on music for healing, cognitive disorders and music technology for the disabled.
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All the cognitive and motor skills a dog or cat needs throughout life are enhanced by play.
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Experts chalk it up to the way flavonols improve bloodcirculation throughout the body and brain — which, in turn, could explain improvements in cognitive functioning.
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Obviously, anyone with memory or other cognitive problems should consult with a doctor before starting to exercise and should probably not exercise alone, Dr. Liu-Ambrose says.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cognitive'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
Cognitive skills and knowledge involve the ability to acquire factual information, often the kind of knowledge that can easily be tested. So cognition should be distinguished from social, emotional, and creative development and ability. Cognitive science is a growing field of study that deals with human perception, thinking, and learning.
Other Psychology Terms
COGNITIVE Defined for English Language Learners
cognitive
playDefinition of cognitive for English Language Learners
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: of, relating to, or involving conscious mental activities (such as thinking, understanding, learning, and remembering)
Medical Dictionary
cognitive
playMedical Definition of cognitive
: of, relating to, or being conscious intellectual activity (as thinking, reasoning, remembering, imagining, or learning words) the cognitive elements of perception—C. H. Hamburg
cognitively
adverbLearn More about cognitive
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Spanish Central: Translation of cognitive Nglish: Translation of cognitive for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cognitive for Arabic speakers
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