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

There is still a lot of work ahead for the research team, but if the project succeeds, this technology could improve self-driving cars, make robots more adaptable, enhance advanced camera systems, and even serve as a vision aid for people with visual impairments. — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 27 June 2026

The presence of a medication does not necessarily establish impairment at a specific time. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2026

Rob, 54, forgot how to do his job after a car hit him in a crosswalk, leaving him with cognitive and physical impairment. — Maggie Penman, Washington Post, 25 June 2026

The victims have described being exposed to sensory phenomena such as pressure and noise coming from a specific location and developed brain trauma and a variety of other symptoms like vertigo, tinnitus, migraine, visual problems and cognitive impairment. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above