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
The company also disclosed a quarterly charge for the impairment of program rights of $142.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 and $157.1 million for the full year.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Feb. 2025
Detailed in Meta’s research publication, the system represents a leap forward in assistive communication technologies, particularly for individuals with speech or motor impairments.
—Luis E. Romero, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
Reduced vision, also known as vision impairment, is so common that research shows that nearly 30% of U.S. adults 71 and older have it.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2025
Higher speeds, impairment caused by alcohol and cannabis use, and other risky driver behaviors were involved in the majority of 2023’s fatal county crashes, according to Wawrzyniak.
—Kay Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impairment
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Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Feb. 2025
Detailed in Meta’s research publication, the system represents a leap forward in assistive communication technologies, particularly for individuals with speech or motor impairments.
—Luis E. Romero, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
Reduced vision, also known as vision impairment, is so common that research shows that nearly 30% of U.S. adults 71 and older have it.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2025
Higher speeds, impairment caused by alcohol and cannabis use, and other risky driver behaviors were involved in the majority of 2023’s fatal county crashes, according to Wawrzyniak.
—Kay Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impairment
Cite this Entry
“Impairment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impairment. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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