cognition

noun

cog·​ni·​tion käg-ˈni-shən 

: cognitive mental processes

A concussion impaired the patient's cognition.

also : a product of these processes

cognitional

käg-ˈni-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Examples of cognition in a Sentence

disabilities affecting cognition and judgment

Recent Examples on the Web

Artificial intelligence could one day supercharge human cognition, leading to significant advances in science, technology and other fields. — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 30 June 2026

For example, a moisturizer is not going to treat depression or meaningfully improve cognition in a clinical sense, but there is real value in recognizing the connection between sensory experience and the nervous system. — Pooja Mistry, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

As an educational psychologist who studies cognition and motivation, my research explores how students regulate their learning and attention amid digital distractions. — Bridget K. Daleiden, The Conversation, 29 June 2026

Pretty soon, people in this optimizer group are going to suffer from the same sort of hollowing-out process as the low-cognition folks. — David Brooks, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cognicioun "comprehension, ability to comprehend," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French cognicion "knowledge, jurisdiction," borrowed from Latin cognitiōn-, cognitiō "act of getting to know, comprehension, investigation," from cogni-, variant stem of cognōscere "to get to know, acquire knowledge of, become acquainted with, investigate" (from co- co- + gnōscere, nōscere "to get to know," inchoative derivative from Indo-European *ǵneh₃-, *ǵṇh₃- "to know, recognize") + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at know entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cognition

• addition
• admission
• ambition
• attrition
• audition
• clinician
• coition
• commission
• condition
• contrition
• dentition
• dismission

Kids Definition

cognition

noun

cog·​ni·​tion käg-ˈnish-ən 

: the act or process of knowing

Medical Definition

cognition

noun

cog·​ni·​tion käg-ˈnish-ən 

1

: cognitive mental processes

2

: a conscious intellectual act

conflict between cognitions