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
Melony had a rare form of epilepsy and cognitive impairments that left her functioning at the level of a 3-year-old, according to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office.
—David Ulloa Jr, AZCentral.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Granados, who had epilepsy and severe cognitive impairments, was one of five children belonging to Lujan’s daughter, Jami Hodges.
—Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
The bus driver, who has not been identified, did not show signs of impairment.
—Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 2 Oct. 2025
The study was the largest clinical trial of exercise ever for adults with mild cognitive impairment.
—Arianna Huffington, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impairment
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David Ulloa Jr, AZCentral.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Granados, who had epilepsy and severe cognitive impairments, was one of five children belonging to Lujan’s daughter, Jami Hodges.
—Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
The bus driver, who has not been identified, did not show signs of impairment.
—Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 2 Oct. 2025
The study was the largest clinical trial of exercise ever for adults with mild cognitive impairment.
—Arianna Huffington, Time, 1 Oct. 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 8 Oct. 2025.
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