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

While there was a net loss of $28.3 million or $2.24 per share in the fourth quarter, which ended Feb. 1, it was attributed to a goodwill impairment charge and transaction expenses related to the acquisition of Vince by P180 from Sun Capital in January. —David Moin, Footwear News, 2 May 2025

Despite the topline growth, the company booked a wider 610 million loss due to asset impairment charges related to online doctor consultation app KonsultaMD and ramp-up costs of the new cancer hospital. —Ian Sayson, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

Delta-8 was found to also have significantly lower cognitive impairment, negative subjective effects and impact on heart rate. —Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2025

Mild cognitive impairment, or MCI, is the stage between normal thinking skills and dementia. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 25 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above