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

Neither speed nor impairment appeared to contribute to the crash, Becchina said. —Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2026

Insects guide robot design Results showed that the robot maintained efficient search performance and a high success rate even under sensor impairment. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026

For some people, betrayal results in dissociation symptoms and memory impairment for what happened. —Anne P. Deprince, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026

Hassan Sirhan was with his son Ali, 18, who is bedbound and has severe mental and physical impairments. —Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above