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

Trichloroethylene has been classified by EPA as a probable human carcinogen, although its primary effect is impairment of the central nervous system.

—Chemical & Engineering News

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

Studies show that roughly 11 percent of all kindergarteners have speech or language impairments …

—The Springfield (Massachusetts) Union-News

Examples of impairment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

How GLP-1s May Affect Brain Health Analyses of large patient datasets have associated GLP-1 receptor agonists with a reduced risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. — Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2026

Advertisement This is especially true for people, like me, with invisible disabilities—impairment that isn’t externally obvious—and people with dynamic disabilities, whose symptoms change from day to day. — Nicole Clark, Time, 8 Nov. 2026

Accessibility for those with mobility impairments There is wheelchair access in all of the public areas, including the spa and swimming pools, as well as two fully accessible rooms located in Building 2 (the central Bauhaus building). — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026

If the case for more capital rests on hope, a market recovery or protecting the existing mark, the right answer is to recognize the impairment. — Ivan Nikkhoo, Forbes.com, 5 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above