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
Symptoms can include vomiting, vision problems, difficulty walking and memory loss or other cognitive impairment.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025
The researchers defined healthy aging as surviving to age 70 while being free of 11 major chronic diseases, including cancer, diabetes, stroke, arthritis and osteoporosis; having no impairment in memory or physical function; and being in good mental health.
—Linda Carroll, NBC news, 16 May 2025
Cataracts are one of the most common causes of vision impairment worldwide.
—Sanket Jain, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2025
About 20 percent of participants had mild cognitive impairment at the beginning of the study, which can be a prequel to dementia.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 15 May 2025
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Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025
The researchers defined healthy aging as surviving to age 70 while being free of 11 major chronic diseases, including cancer, diabetes, stroke, arthritis and osteoporosis; having no impairment in memory or physical function; and being in good mental health.
—Linda Carroll, NBC news, 16 May 2025
Cataracts are one of the most common causes of vision impairment worldwide.
—Sanket Jain, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2025
About 20 percent of participants had mild cognitive impairment at the beginning of the study, which can be a prequel to dementia.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 15 May 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 6 Jun. 2025.
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