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

Lithium levels were consistently lower in patients with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s compared to those with normal brain function. —Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025

The company booked a $3.8 billion impairment on its Kraft Heinz stake as well, marking down its value to $8.4 billion. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2025

So, for individuals with a social impairment, the financial and sport sectors were the most problematic, with 45% and 53% of respondents reporting barriers, respectively. —Gus Alexiou, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025

These can include cognitive impairment, changes in memory, altered mood, and changes in executive brain functions like logical thinking and reasoning. —Alice Park, Time, 31 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above