metacognition
noun
meta·cog·ni·tion
ˌme-tə-käg-ˈni-shən 
: awareness or analysis of one's own learning or thinking processes
research on metacognition … has demonstrated the value of monitoring one's own cognitive processes—
Colette A. Daiute
Colette A. DaiuteExamples of metacognition in a Sentence
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Training yourself to observe and challenge these automatic thoughts—what psychologists call metacognition—is strikingly similar to the Buddhist concept of yoniso manasikāra, or wise attention.
—Gamini Hewawasam, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Even in academic integrity, the focus is on metacognition, not surveillance: Students are invited to review and annotate their own writing changes, putting them in the driver’s seat as learners, not just subjects of detection.
—Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
This requires what researchers call cultural metacognition, or cultural mindfulness: the ability to reflect on one’s assumptions and adapt behavior based on how others may interpret the interaction.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Share [Findings] Sets of both fraternal and identical twins exhibit internally similar metacognitive abilities, suggesting that metacognition is environmental rather than heritable.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 22 Jan. 2025
Nord Anglia Education, a network of over 80 international schools, launched this initiative in 2023 to teach metacognition.
—Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Researchers believe this indicates dogs recognize their own ignorance – a sign of metacognition.
—Melanie Stetson Freeman, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Nov. 2024
Fostering Metacognition And Lifelong Learning: Nurturing Reflective Thinkers The final shift should be toward fostering metacognition, encouraging students to think about their thinking.
—Beata M. Jones, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
Self-assessment fosters metacognition, helping students reflect and adapt.
—Beata M. Jones, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
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Gamini Hewawasam, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Even in academic integrity, the focus is on metacognition, not surveillance: Students are invited to review and annotate their own writing changes, putting them in the driver’s seat as learners, not just subjects of detection.
—Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
This requires what researchers call cultural metacognition, or cultural mindfulness: the ability to reflect on one’s assumptions and adapt behavior based on how others may interpret the interaction.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Share [Findings] Sets of both fraternal and identical twins exhibit internally similar metacognitive abilities, suggesting that metacognition is environmental rather than heritable.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 22 Jan. 2025
Nord Anglia Education, a network of over 80 international schools, launched this initiative in 2023 to teach metacognition.
—Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Researchers believe this indicates dogs recognize their own ignorance – a sign of metacognition.
—Melanie Stetson Freeman, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Nov. 2024
Fostering Metacognition And Lifelong Learning: Nurturing Reflective Thinkers The final shift should be toward fostering metacognition, encouraging students to think about their thinking.
—Beata M. Jones, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
Self-assessment fosters metacognition, helping students reflect and adapt.
—Beata M. Jones, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Metacognition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metacognition. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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