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
As might be expected, both men and their minions strongly deny impairment (while pointing fingers at their political opponent as cognitively struggling).
—Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 23 May 2024
Such impairments could be trauma to the testes, varicoceles, hypothalamus, or pituitary gland disorders.
—Casey Seiden, Parents, 19 May 2024
There is a small percentage that are recorded down on election - election systems, but that's for accessibility purposes, for those that may have visual impairment or otherwise.
—CBS News, 19 May 2024
Memory and cognitive impairment lapses begin to erode a person’s ability to function independently.
—Jess Sims, Health, 10 May 2024
The company recorded a $700 million impairment charge related to those linear networks.
—Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 May 2024
Stage 1: No Cognitive Decline In this stage, there are no signs or symptoms of neurological impairment.
—Jess Sims, Health, 10 May 2024
Excessive speed and impairment are not believed to be factors in this crash.
—Jennie Key, The Enquirer, 8 May 2024
Although neurodivergent students could fall into a number of these categories, the most likely would be speech or language impairment; specific learning disability; emotional behavioral disability, autism and significant developmental delay.
—Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 8 May 2024
Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 23 May 2024
Such impairments could be trauma to the testes, varicoceles, hypothalamus, or pituitary gland disorders.
—Casey Seiden, Parents, 19 May 2024
There is a small percentage that are recorded down on election - election systems, but that's for accessibility purposes, for those that may have visual impairment or otherwise.
—CBS News, 19 May 2024
Memory and cognitive impairment lapses begin to erode a person’s ability to function independently.
—Jess Sims, Health, 10 May 2024
The company recorded a $700 million impairment charge related to those linear networks.
—Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 May 2024
Stage 1: No Cognitive Decline In this stage, there are no signs or symptoms of neurological impairment.
—Jess Sims, Health, 10 May 2024
Excessive speed and impairment are not believed to be factors in this crash.
—Jennie Key, The Enquirer, 8 May 2024
Although neurodivergent students could fall into a number of these categories, the most likely would be speech or language impairment; specific learning disability; emotional behavioral disability, autism and significant developmental delay.
—Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 8 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'impairment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near impairment
Cite this Entry
“Impairment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impairment. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
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