disability
noun
dis·abil·i·ty
ˌdis-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 
1
: a physical, mental, cognitive, or developmental condition that impairs, interferes with, or limits a person's ability to engage in certain tasks or actions or participate in typical daily activities and interactions
Scientists have tentatively linked the reading disability known as dyslexia to a bevy of brain disturbances.—
Science News
Science NewsHow, with his severe disability, has Hawking been able to out-think and out-intuit his leading colleague-competitors …—Kip S. Thorne
Kip S. ThorneYet one ends up admiring him for his devotion to the disability that could have unmade his career as an actor. It is through his deafness that we hear his story.—Lennard J. Davis
Lennard J. Davis
also
: impaired function or ability
Sarcopenia is a loss of muscle mass and strength that normally occurs with aging, and it's a major cause of frailty and disability in the elderly. —Andrew Weil
Andrew Weil Thrombolytic therapy has been used in patients with acute ischemic stroke to restore cerebral blood flow, reduce ischemia, and limit neurologic disability. —Werner Hacke
see also intellectual disability, learning disability
Werner Hacke 2
a(1)
: an impairment (such as a chronic medical condition or injury) that prevents someone from engaging in gainful employment
… monthly payment to which a worker is entitled upon retirement or disability under the federal social security system …—Robert I. Mehr
Robert I. Mehr
(2)
: an impairment (such as spina bifida) that results in serious functional limitations for a minor
b
: a program providing financial support to a person affected by disability
… those who fit the criteria for dysthymia were more likely to have physical and emotional problems and more likely to be on Medicaid or Social Security disability than those with acute depression.—Melinda Beck
Melinda Beck
also
: the financial support provided by such a program
… he collects disability on account of his exposure to Agent Orange during his years as an Army MP in Vietnam. —Jason Fagone
Jason Fagone 3
: a disqualification, restriction, or disadvantage
economic disabilities
4
: lack of legal qualification to do something
… Defoe … dramatised the gravity of the problem in the morally desperate expedient which Roxana is forced to adopt to overcome the legal disabilities of women.—Ian Watt
Ian Watt
Examples of disability in a Sentence
She has learned to keep a positive attitude about her disability.
disabilities such as blindness and deafness
a program for children with disabilities
It's a serious disease that can cause disability or death.
After he injured his back he had to quit his job and go on disability.
Recent Examples on the Web
More than 2,000 Kansans with physical disabilities are also waiting for services.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2024
As well as government buildings, gangs have also destroyed or severely damaged a center for children with disabilities, pharmacies, and medical clinics.
—Pierre Esperance, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2024
My struggle with feeling was like an emotional learning disability.
—Patric Gagne, TIME, 2 Apr. 2024
The day was crafted in 2018 by the United Nations General Assembly as a day to promote, protect and ensure rights, freedoms and dignity for people with disabilities.
—Emilee Coblentz, USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024
The day’s first activities were reserved for people with disabilities, which allowed families to maneuver the various stations without crowds.
—Amber Ferguson, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024
The play area will addresses the needs of all ages and abilities, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, sensory challenges, visual and auditory impairments, cognitive, developmental and physical disabilities, as well as medically fragile people.
—Stephanie Lam, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024
Then, in 1998, in the journal Brain, neurologists reported on wide-ranging emotional and cognitive disabilities in patients with damage to the cerebellum.
—R Douglas Fields, WIRED, 31 Mar. 2024
Dependents include spouses, minor children and disabled children, as long as the disability started before the child turned 22.
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2024
Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2024
As well as government buildings, gangs have also destroyed or severely damaged a center for children with disabilities, pharmacies, and medical clinics.
—Pierre Esperance, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2024
My struggle with feeling was like an emotional learning disability.
—Patric Gagne, TIME, 2 Apr. 2024
The day was crafted in 2018 by the United Nations General Assembly as a day to promote, protect and ensure rights, freedoms and dignity for people with disabilities.
—Emilee Coblentz, USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024
The day’s first activities were reserved for people with disabilities, which allowed families to maneuver the various stations without crowds.
—Amber Ferguson, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024
The play area will addresses the needs of all ages and abilities, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, sensory challenges, visual and auditory impairments, cognitive, developmental and physical disabilities, as well as medically fragile people.
—Stephanie Lam, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024
Then, in 1998, in the journal Brain, neurologists reported on wide-ranging emotional and cognitive disabilities in patients with damage to the cerebellum.
—R Douglas Fields, WIRED, 31 Mar. 2024
Dependents include spouses, minor children and disabled children, as long as the disability started before the child turned 22.
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'disability.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing disability
Dictionary Entries Near disability
Cite this Entry
“Disability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disability. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
disability
noun
dis·abil·i·ty
ˌdis-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē
plural disabilities
1
: the condition of being disabled : lack of ability, power, or fitness to do something
2
: something that disables (as a physical injury)
Medical Definition
disability
noun
dis·abil·i·ty
ˌdis-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē
plural disabilities
1
: a physical, mental, cognitive, or developmental condition that impairs, interferes with, or limits a person's ability to engage in certain tasks or actions or participate in typical daily activities and interactions
Scientists have tentatively linked the reading disability known as dyslexia to a bevy of brain disturbances.—Science News
Science NewsHow, with his severe disability, has Hawking been able to out-think and out-intuit his leading colleague-competitors …—Kip S. Thorne
Kip S. Thorne
also
: impaired function or ability
Thrombolytic therapy has been used in patients with acute ischemic stroke to restore cerebral blood flow, reduce ischemia, and limit neurologic disability. —Werner Hacke
see also intellectual disability, learning disability
Werner Hacke 2
a(1)
: an impairment (as a chronic medical condition or injury) that prevents someone from engaging in gainful employment
(2)
: an impairment (as spina bifida) that results in serious functional limitations for a minor
b
: a program providing financial support to a person affected by disability
Legal Definition
disability
noun
dis·abil·i·ty
plural disabilities
1
: inability to pursue an occupation because of a physical or mental impairment
specifically
: inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity because of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or to be of long continued or indefinite duration in accordance with the Social Security Act see also benefit, Americans with Disabilities Act compare incapacity, occupational disease
2
: lack of legal qualification to do something
a minor's disability
More from Merriam-Webster on disability
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for disability
Nglish: Translation of disability for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of disability for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about disability
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