impairment
noun
im·pair·ment
im-ˈper-mənt 
plural impairments
: the act of impairing something or the state or condition of being impaired : diminishment or loss of function or ability
… it does not help reverse the impairment of cognitive activity caused by diazepam …—
Corby Kummer
Corby KummerTrichloroethylene has been classified by EPA as a probable human carcinogen, although its primary effect is impairment of the central nervous system.—Chemical & Engineering News
Chemical & Engineering NewsPersons 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
Maryland MagazineStudies show that roughly 11 percent of all kindergarteners have speech or language impairments …—The Springfield (Massachusetts) Union-News
The Springfield (Massachusetts) Union-NewsExamples of impairment in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Trump scored 30 out of 30 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, a test used to detect signs of dementia and cognitive impairment.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
Research must zero in on the causes of some of the most troubling impairments that can come with autism, such as self-injury, aggressive behavior and even catatonia, as noted by the Autism Science Foundation.
—Mark Kendall, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2025
No single test can determine if someone’s drinking has led to brain impairment.
—Brittany Risher, SELF, 11 Apr. 2025
Some suggest this could negatively affect the immune system or be related to cognitive impairment in older adults.
—Jennifer Lefton, Ms, Rd/n, Cnsc, Fand, Verywell Health, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impairment
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Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
Research must zero in on the causes of some of the most troubling impairments that can come with autism, such as self-injury, aggressive behavior and even catatonia, as noted by the Autism Science Foundation.
—Mark Kendall, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2025
No single test can determine if someone’s drinking has led to brain impairment.
—Brittany Risher, SELF, 11 Apr. 2025
Some suggest this could negatively affect the immune system or be related to cognitive impairment in older adults.
—Jennifer Lefton, Ms, Rd/n, Cnsc, Fand, Verywell Health, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impairment
Cite this Entry
“Impairment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impairment. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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