cognitive

adjective

cog·​ni·​tive ˈkäg-nə-tiv 

1

: of, relating to, being, or involving conscious intellectual activity (such as thinking, reasoning, or remembering)

cognitive impairment

cognitive tests

2

philosophy : based on or capable of being reduced to empirical factual knowledge

cognitively adverb

Examples of cognitive in a Sentence

The best toys for toddlers engage their interests while developing their fine motor, gross motor, cognitive, and social skills. —Ashley Ziegler and Katrina Cossey, Parents, 12 Nov. 2024

Homo sapiens' survival is founded in their filling an evolutionary niche referred to as the cognitive niche. —Daniel Grassam, Skeptical Inquirer, July/August 2001

Researchers are debating whether heading balls can dent the cognitive skills of young soccer players for life. —Lisa McLaughlin, Time, 5 June 2000

Recent Examples on the Web

Get Your Eyes Checked Risk assessment is one of the most critical leadership skills, yet vision problems can negatively impact spatial awareness and cognitive judgment. —Dr Chibuzor Uwadi, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025

Reading fosters cognitive stimulation, emotional connection, and even stress reduction, while breathwork and meditation help regulate stress responses and enhance mental clarity. —Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2025

But when sleep is interrupted, these repair cycles are shortened, leading to deficits in emotional regulation and cognitive performance. —Lia Miller, Parents, 14 Mar. 2025

The victim was also found to be developmentally delayed with an adolescent cognitive level, the warrant affidavit said. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin cognitīvus "concerned with knowing," from Latin cognitus, past participle of cognōscere "to get to know, acquire knowledge of" + -īvus -ive — more at cognition

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cognitive

• cognitive behavioral therapy
• cognitive behavior therapy
• cognitive dissonance
• cognitive science
• cognitive therapy

Rhymes for cognitive

• neurocognitive

Kids Definition

cognitive

adjective

cog·​ni·​tive ˈkäg-nət-iv 

: of, relating to, or being conscious mental activities (as thinking, reasoning, remembering, imagining, learning words, and using language)

Medical Definition

cognitive

adjective

cog·​ni·​tive ˈkäg-nət-iv 

: of, relating to, or being conscious intellectual activity (as thinking, reasoning, remembering, imagining, or learning words)

the cognitive elements of perception

—C. H. Hamburg

cognitively adverb