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

Together, the trials include more than 3,500 patients who will be tested for changes in their cognition and other key markers, like neuroinflammation. —Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 23 Jan. 2025

Wall Street has embraced generative artificial intelligence faster than any other disruptive technology in recent years, experts say, because of how adept large language models are in replicating aspects of human cognition. —Hugh Son, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025

By closely mirroring how human cognition prioritizes surprising events and manages information over both short and long timescales, Titans paves the way for AI systems that are more intuitive and flexible than ever before. —Craig S. Smith, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025

Despite the uncertainty around HDL’s influence on cognition, the link between vascular health—which is affected by both HDL and LDL levels—and brain health is well established. —Hannah Singleton, Health, 15 Jan. 2025

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