impair

verb im·pair \ im-ˈper \

Updated on: 12 May 2018

Definition of impair

transitive verb

: to diminish in function, ability, or quality : to weaken or make worse

It has been known for nearly 100 years that memory is impaired by bilateral damage to either of two brain regions …
—Larry R. Squire

The use of drugs further complicates the situation of these families and sometimes impairs their ability to raise children.
—Ellen L. Bassuk

… the prospect of generating normal profitability is impaired by excessive debt service.
—John Nozell

The physician also checks for signs of endometriosis, a condition in which the cells that normally compose the uterine lining grow outside the uterus, sometimes impairing fertility.
—Martha Southgate

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impairer

noun

- … the overwhelming majority of hookups involved alcohol use—an impairer of sexual judgment if ever there was one …
- —Tiffany Sharples

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impairment

play \im-ˈper-mənt\ noun

- Persons with hearing impairments can now get information about local parks and their facilities by calling the recently installed TDD phone numbers within the Parks Department.
- —Maryland Magazine

See impair defined for English-language learners

See impair defined for kids

Examples of impair in a Sentence

Smoking can impair your health.
Drinking impairs a person's ability to think clearly.
His memory was so impaired by age that he often forgot where he was.

Recent Examples of impair from the Web

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
Without the sun, our circadian rhythm, or body clock, would be impaired.

— rebecca farley, refinery29.com, "Would Simone & Rasmus Have Survived Their Five-Year Bunker Stay In The Rain?," 7 May 2018
Try sleepaway camp in New Hampshire Children 8 to 15 who are blind or visually impaired can experience 200 acres of nature at Camp Inter-Actions (603-319-6120; inter-actions.org), an overnight one- to three-week program in Kingston, New Hampshire.

— an uong, BostonGlobe.com, "5 New England vacation ideas for families with special needs," 2 May 2018
Some scientists who work with the data sets fear that changes in access could impair a wide range of research on the environment, conservation, agriculture and public health.

— gabriel popkin, Scientific American, "U.S. Government Considers Charging for Popular Earth-Observation Data," 25 Apr. 2018
The operator sent a code over the line that would display as text on devices used by the hearing impaired.

— cameron knight, Cincinnati.com, "Source: Rear seat of minivan flipped, pinned Seven Hills student Kyle Plush," 12 Apr. 2018
Lack of sleep causes the skin to look pale and tired because the circulation has been impaired.

— lauren valenti, Marie Claire, "10 Ways to Wake Up Prettier Than You Went to Sleep," 23 Dec. 2014
Older adults, infants, and those who have impaired immune systems are at highest risk.

— n'dea yancey-bragg, USA TODAY, "Egg recall: What you need to know about salmonella," 15 Apr. 2018
His attorneys have implored the committee to postpone releasing its findings until after Greitens’ May criminal trial, arguing that the report could taint the potential jury pool and impair the governor’s chances of getting a fair trial.

— jason hancock, kansascity, "Missouri braces for bombshell as report on Greitens scandals is set for release | The Kansas City Star," 6 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'impair.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of impair

Middle English empeiren, from Anglo-French empeirer, from Vulgar Latin *impejorare, from Latin in- + Late Latin pejorare to make worse — more at pejorative

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

impair Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of impair

injure, harm, hurt, damage, impair, mar mean to affect injuriously. injure implies the inflicting of anything detrimental to one's looks, comfort, health, or success.

- badly injured in an accident

harm often stresses the inflicting of pain, suffering, or loss.

- careful not to harm the animals

hurt implies inflicting a wound to the body or to the feelings.

- hurt by their callous remarks

damage suggests injury that lowers value or impairs usefulness.

- a table damaged in shipping

impair suggests a making less complete or efficient by deterioration or diminution.

- years of smoking had impaired his health

mar applies to injury that spoils perfection (as of a surface) or causes disfigurement.

- the text is marred by many typos

Financial Definition of IMPAIR

impairment

noun

What It Is

The term impairment refers to assets that are no longer of the same value as in a prior period. An impairment charge is used and the asset is revalued downward and a "charge" is made to net assets.

How It Works

Impairment normally happens when the value of a company's goodwill declines in market value. Since the advent of FAS (Financial Accounting Standards) 141 and 142, the amortization of goodwill is no longer required, however periodic and annual impairment tests are now necessary. This can work both ways. The goodwill (asset) will stay on the books of the company indefinitely which helps EPS but if there is a market downturn on these assets, a write-down of the value of the asset (impairment charge) will be required which has immediate impact on the income of the company.

For example;

Goodwill Asset Value (Year 0) $4,000,000

Impairment Test Results Value (Year 1) $3,000,000

Income Statement Impact/ Impairment Charge $1,000,000

Why It Matters

Under US GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles), tests of impairment are required annually. Thus, an internal control procedure must be established within companies that potentially have such exposure to ensure they are abiding by US GAAP. Failure to do so risks a qualified or adverse opinion from the companies’ auditors.

Source: Investing Answers

IMPAIR Defined for Kids

impair

verb im·pair \ im-ˈper \

Definition of impair for Students

impaired; impairing

: to make less (as in quantity, value, or strength) or worse : damage Smoking can impair your health.

Medical Dictionary

impair

transitive verb im·pair \ im-ˈpa(ə)r, -ˈpe(ə)r \

medical Definition of impair

: to damage or make worse by or as if by diminishing in some material respect

his health was impaired by overwork

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impairment

play \-ˈpa(ə)r-mənt\ noun

Law Dictionary

impair

transitive verb im·pair \ im-ˈper \

legal Definition of impair

1 : to damage or make worse by or as if by diminishing

impaired health

2 : to diminish the value of (property or property rights); specifically : to diminish the value of (legal contractual obligations) to the point that a party loses the benefit of the contract or the contract otherwise becomes invalid