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

Researchers have discovered and analyzed the world’s oldest geometric patterns on 60,000-year-old ostrich egg fragments, revealing the complex cognition that eventually enabled Homo sapiens to invent writing. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 1 Mar. 2026

Buzbee had met the man charged in connection with her case on social media, linking the online spaces with yet another tragedy as concern over impacts on attention, cognition and mental health grow. —Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 27 Feb. 2026

In fact, the study found that developing these skills could literally reorganize the brain's structure, improving cognition. —Molly Burford, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2026

As women approach menopause, estrogen levels fluctuate and eventually decline, triggering symptoms that can affect sleep, mood, cognition, and overall quality of life. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 26 Feb. 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