cognition

noun

cog·​ni·​tion käg-ˈni-shən 

: cognitive mental processes

A concussion impaired the patient's cognition.

also : a product of these processes

cognitional

käg-ˈnish-nəl 

-ˈni-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Examples of cognition in a Sentence

disabilities affecting cognition and judgment

Recent Examples on the Web

This frontier will expand to vision restoration for the blind, speech decoding for the locked-in, and other applications spanning cognition to depression and beyond. —Naveen Rao, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024

Creatine may also improve mental health, cognition, and mood.7 Creatine can be safely taken in doses of up to 25 grams daily for 14 days, followed by 10 grams daily for up to five years in healthy adults. —Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 22 Oct. 2024

The highest levels of cognition—from novel problem-solving to social reasoning—can proceed without an assist from words or linguistic structures. —Gary Stix, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2024

Again, vinegar’s acetic acid could be the benefactor; acetate plays a role in improving brain inflammation, plasticity, and overall cognition. —Matt Fuchs, TIME, 16 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cognicioun "comprehension, ability to comprehend," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French cognicion "knowledge, jurisdiction," borrowed from Latin cognitiōn-, cognitiō "act of getting to know, comprehension, investigation," from cogni-, variant stem of cognōscere "to get to know, acquire knowledge of, become acquainted with, investigate" (from co- co- + gnōscere, nōscere "to get to know," inchoative derivative from Indo-European *ǵneh₃-, *ǵṇh₃- "to know, recognize") + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at know entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

cognition

noun

cog·​ni·​tion käg-ˈnish-ən 

: the act or process of knowing

Medical Definition

cognition

noun

cog·​ni·​tion käg-ˈnish-ən 

1

: cognitive mental processes

2

: a conscious intellectual act

conflict between cognitions