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
This year, Novo Nordisk plans to report findings from a phase 3 clinical trial to see if semaglutide can slow cognitive impairment and other signs of Alzheimer’s disease progression, even in people without obesity.
—Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 23 Jan. 2025
According to state police, Brown allegedly showed signs of impairment and smelled of alcohol.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 23 Jan. 2025
Among multiple other afflictions Levine expects are vitamin deficiencies, starvation, dramatic weight loss, vision problems due to a lack of sunlight, broken bones, cognitive impairment and mental health trauma.
—Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
One other important point is that those symptoms must also involve considerable distress or some level of impairment in someone’s life, such as interrupting relationships, work, school or self-care, for instance.
—Ian H. Stanley, The Conversation, 17 Jan. 2025
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Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 23 Jan. 2025
According to state police, Brown allegedly showed signs of impairment and smelled of alcohol.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 23 Jan. 2025
Among multiple other afflictions Levine expects are vitamin deficiencies, starvation, dramatic weight loss, vision problems due to a lack of sunlight, broken bones, cognitive impairment and mental health trauma.
—Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
One other important point is that those symptoms must also involve considerable distress or some level of impairment in someone’s life, such as interrupting relationships, work, school or self-care, for instance.
—Ian H. Stanley, The Conversation, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for impairment
Dictionary Entries Near impairment
Cite this Entry
“Impairment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impairment. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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