disability

noun

dis·​abil·​i·​ty ˌdis-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

plural disabilities

1

: a physical, mental, cognitive, or developmental condition that impairs, interferes with, or limits a person's ability to engage in certain tasks or actions or participate in typical daily activities and interactions

Scientists have tentatively linked the reading disability known as dyslexia to a bevy of brain disturbances.

—Science News

How, with his severe disability, has Hawking been able to out-think and out-intuit his leading colleague-competitors …

—Kip S. Thorne

also : impaired function or ability

Sarcopenia is a loss of muscle mass and strength that normally occurs with aging, and it's a major cause of frailty and disability in the elderly.

—Andrew Weil

Thrombolytic therapy has been used in patients with acute ischemic stroke to restore cerebral blood flow, reduce ischemia, and limit neurologic disability.

—Werner Hacke

see also intellectual disability, learning disability

2

a(1)

: an impairment (such as a chronic medical condition or injury) that prevents someone from engaging in gainful employment

… monthly payment to which a worker is entitled upon retirement or disability under the federal social security system …

—Robert I. Mehr

(2)

: an impairment (such as spina bifida) that results in serious functional limitations for a minor

b

: a program providing financial support to a person affected by disability

… those who fit the criteria for dysthymia were more likely to have physical and emotional problems and more likely to be on Medicaid or Social Security disability than those with acute depression.

—Melinda Beck

also : the financial support provided by such a program

… he collects disability on account of his exposure to Agent Orange during his years as an Army MP in Vietnam.

—Jason Fagone

3

: a disqualification, restriction, or disadvantage

economic disabilities

4

: lack of legal qualification to do something

… Defoe … dramatised the gravity of the problem in the morally desperate expedient which Roxana is forced to adopt to overcome the legal disabilities of women.

—Ian Watt

Examples of disability in a Sentence

She has learned to keep a positive attitude about her disability.

disabilities such as blindness and deafness

a program for children with disabilities

It's a serious disease that can cause disability or death.

After he injured his back he had to quit his job and go on disability.

Recent Examples on the Web

Students with disabilities Hunkele questioned why the ICE agents were at the school, which offers alternative learning services for nine south metro public school districts. —Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 13 Jan. 2026

The system features low-floor vehicles designed for easy boarding, along with audio and visual stop announcements and designated priority seating for seniors and riders with disabilities. —Christopher Harris, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026

The doll joins the Barbie Fashionistas line, which features more than 175 looks across various skin tones, body types and disabilities. —Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026

Then, the husband and a second neighbor had a verbal altercation, leading to the husband being charged with threatening to commit a crime, and with assault with intent to intimidate based on the victim’s race, religion, color and/or disability. —Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

dis- + ability, after disable

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing disability

• developmental disability
• intellectual disability
• learning disability

Rhymes for disability

• affability
• audibility
• bistability
• capability
• changeability
• contractility
• credibility
• culpability
• disutility
• durability
• fallibility
• feasibility

Kids Definition

disability

noun

dis·​abil·​i·​ty ˌdis-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

plural disabilities

1

: the condition of being disabled : lack of ability, power, or fitness to do something

2

: something that disables (as a physical injury)

Medical Definition

disability

noun

dis·​abil·​i·​ty ˌdis-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

plural disabilities

1

: a physical, mental, cognitive, or developmental condition that impairs, interferes with, or limits a person's ability to engage in certain tasks or actions or participate in typical daily activities and interactions

Scientists have tentatively linked the reading disability known as dyslexia to a bevy of brain disturbances.

—Science News

How, with his severe disability, has Hawking been able to out-think and out-intuit his leading colleague-competitors …

—Kip S. Thorne

also : impaired function or ability

Thrombolytic therapy has been used in patients with acute ischemic stroke to restore cerebral blood flow, reduce ischemia, and limit neurologic disability.

—Werner Hacke

see also intellectual disability, learning disability

2

a(1)

: an impairment (as a chronic medical condition or injury) that prevents someone from engaging in gainful employment

(2)

: an impairment (as spina bifida) that results in serious functional limitations for a minor

b

: a program providing financial support to a person affected by disability

Legal Definition

disability

noun

dis·​abil·​i·​ty

plural disabilities

1

: inability to pursue an occupation because of a physical or mental impairment

specifically : inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity because of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or to be of long continued or indefinite duration in accordance with the Social Security Act see also benefit, Americans with Disabilities Act compare incapacity, occupational disease

2

: lack of legal qualification to do something

a minor's disability