dementia
noun
de·men·tia
di-ˈmen(t)-shə 
-shē-ə
1
: a usually progressive condition (such as Alzheimer's disease) marked by the development of multiple cognitive deficits (such as memory impairment, aphasia, and the inability to plan and initiate complex behavior)
… dementia is diagnosed only when both memory and another cognitive function are each affected severely enough to interfere with a person's ability to carry out routine daily activities.—
The Journal of the American Medical Association
The Journal of the American Medical AssociationSynonyms
Examples of dementia in a Sentence
This patient suffers from dementia.
a new study on age-related dementias
Recent Examples on the Web
The legislation also would prevent facilities from hiring or continuing to employ people whose names are on Adult Protective Services’ abuse registry and increase dementia training requirements for workers at facilities licensed to serve residents who need the most help.
—Wyatt Buchanan, The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024
In 2018, the former president’s doctor revealed that Mr. Trump insisted on taking a dementia screening test known as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and answered all 30 questions correctly.
—Michael D. Shear Michael D. Shear, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
The cause was complications from a form of dementia known as logopenic primary progressive aphasia, according to his husband John Augustine.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024
The health of Jay Leno’s wife, Mavis Leno, is continuing to decline following her dementia diagnosis.
—Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 1 Apr. 2024
Researchers use music in therapy for Alzheimer's and dementia patients because specific songs and tunes may help activate memories.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 29 Mar. 2024
For a long time, Edgerly wondered why so many people struggled to learn the cause of their dementia.
—Cathie Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 29 Mar. 2024
People with Alzheimer’s experience dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2024
Mild cognitive impairment – an early stage of dementia – is widely underdiagnosed in people 65 and older.
—Soeren Mattke, Discover Magazine, 28 Mar. 2024
Wyatt Buchanan, The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024
In 2018, the former president’s doctor revealed that Mr. Trump insisted on taking a dementia screening test known as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and answered all 30 questions correctly.
—Michael D. Shear Michael D. Shear, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
The cause was complications from a form of dementia known as logopenic primary progressive aphasia, according to his husband John Augustine.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024
The health of Jay Leno’s wife, Mavis Leno, is continuing to decline following her dementia diagnosis.
—Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 1 Apr. 2024
Researchers use music in therapy for Alzheimer's and dementia patients because specific songs and tunes may help activate memories.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 29 Mar. 2024
For a long time, Edgerly wondered why so many people struggled to learn the cause of their dementia.
—Cathie Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 29 Mar. 2024
People with Alzheimer’s experience dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2024
Mild cognitive impairment – an early stage of dementia – is widely underdiagnosed in people 65 and older.
—Soeren Mattke, Discover Magazine, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dementia.' 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 dementia
Cite this Entry
“Dementia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dementia. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dementia
noun
de·men·tia
di-ˈmen-chə
1
: a condition of the brain that is marked especially by a deterioration in the ability to think, reason, or remember
2
: a condition of deteriorating mental functioning
Medical Definition
dementia
noun
de·men·tia
di-ˈmen-chə
: a usually progressive condition (as Alzheimer's disease) marked by the development of multiple cognitive deficits (as memory impairment, aphasia, and inability to plan and initiate complex behavior)
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