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

How, with his severe disability, has Hawking been able to out-think and out-intuit his leading colleague-competitors …

—Kip S. Thorne

Yet 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

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

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

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

(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

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

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

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

While the landscape is abundant in expert trainers, societal awareness is still lacking, calling for comprehensive solutions that truly empower people with disabilities. —Ethan Stone, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024

This staggering statistic underscores the systemic challenges that individuals with disabilities face within the profession. —Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Faulkner now works as a counselor and recovery coach with female trauma victims and people with disabilities. —Julia Mueller, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2024

Working with Mehmet Oz, Trump’s pick to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Kennedy could push to get questionable treatments or medical devices covered by Medicare, the federal health insurance program for people aged 65 or older and those with disabilities. —Emily Mullin, WIRED, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

dis- + ability, after disable

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing disability

• developmental disability
• intellectual disability
• learning disability

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

How, with his severe disability, has Hawking been able to out-think and out-intuit his leading colleague-competitors …

—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

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