dementia
noun
de·men·tia
di-ˈmen(t)-shə 
-shē-ə
1
: a usually progressive condition (such as Alzheimer's disease) marked by the development of multiple cognitive deficits (such as memory impairment, aphasia, and the inability to plan and initiate complex behavior)
… dementia is diagnosed only when both memory and another cognitive function are each affected severely enough to interfere with a person's ability to carry out routine daily activities.—
The Journal of the American Medical Association
The Journal of the American Medical AssociationSynonyms
Examples of dementia in a Sentence
This patient suffers from dementia.
a new study on age-related dementias
Recent Examples on the Web
Diet beverages have been linked to a higher risk of dying early from cardiovascular disease as well as the onset of dementia, type 2 diabetes, obesity, stroke and metabolic syndrome, which can lead to heart disease and diabetes.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 1 July 2024
One example is involuntary medical treatment, which could be justified based on a person’s lack of decision-making capacity, regardless of whether the person has dementia, stroke, or schizophrenia.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 27 June 2024
Some studies still support the idea that low-to-moderate drinking could decrease risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, or diabetes.
—Isabella Cueto and J. Emory Parker, STAT, 27 June 2024
Rowlands’ mother, Lady Rowlands, died in 1999 at age 95 years after also having lived with dementia.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for dementia 
Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 1 July 2024
One example is involuntary medical treatment, which could be justified based on a person’s lack of decision-making capacity, regardless of whether the person has dementia, stroke, or schizophrenia.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 27 June 2024
Some studies still support the idea that low-to-moderate drinking could decrease risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, or diabetes.
—Isabella Cueto and J. Emory Parker, STAT, 27 June 2024
Rowlands’ mother, Lady Rowlands, died in 1999 at age 95 years after also having lived with dementia.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for dementia
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dementia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near dementia
Cite this Entry
“Dementia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dementia. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dementia
noun
de·men·tia
di-ˈmen-chə
1
: a condition of the brain that is marked especially by a deterioration in the ability to think, reason, or remember
2
: a condition of deteriorating mental functioning
Medical Definition
dementia
noun
de·men·tia
di-ˈmen-chə
: a usually progressive condition (as Alzheimer's disease) marked by the development of multiple cognitive deficits (as memory impairment, aphasia, and inability to plan and initiate complex behavior)
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