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

Trichloroethylene has been classified by EPA as a probable human carcinogen, although its primary effect is impairment of the central nervous system.

—Chemical & Engineering News

Persons 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

Studies show that roughly 11 percent of all kindergarteners have speech or language impairments …

—The Springfield (Massachusetts) Union-News

Examples of impairment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The most severely affected reported a 66% impairment in productivity. —Beth Greenfield, Fortune, 18 June 2025

There’s a lot to discover beyond the shores of Holy Island, including — Spike imagines — a cure for his mother’s headaches, nosebleeds, and cognitive impairment. —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 18 June 2025

Prosecutors argued her impairment likely affected her reaction time. —Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025

In accounting, an impairment is made when a company’s directors believe the market value of an asset has fallen below its book value. —Matt Slater, New York Times, 7 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above