learning disability

noun

: any of various conditions (such as dyslexia or dysgraphia) that interfere with an individual's ability to learn and so result in impaired functioning in language, reasoning, or academic skills (such as reading, writing, and mathematics) and that are thought to be caused by difficulties in processing and integrating information

called also learning difference

learning disabled adjective

Examples of learning disability in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Schools have generally been working hard to meet the special educational needs of an array of students — those with learning disabilities, those learning English, those with behavioral issues and those whose households struggle with poverty. —Karin Klein, The Mercury News, 27 Nov. 2024

Because of such factors, dyslexia is recognized as the most common of all learning disabilities. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 19 Oct. 2024

Here, the most intimate details of people’s lives are on full display: A school case manager reveals details of specific students’ learning disabilities, a minor frets over possible legal charges, a girl laments the sound of her own laugh. —Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2024

Harvard Health defines neurodiversity as the diverse ways people experience the world, often in the context of conditions like autism (ASD), ADHD, or learning disabilities. —Priya Oberoi, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

learning disability

noun

: any of various conditions (as attention deficit disorder and dyslexia) that interfere with a person's ability to learn basic academic skills

called also learning difference

learning disabled adjective

Medical Definition

learning disability

noun

: any of various disorders (as dyslexia or dysgraphia) that interfere with an individual's ability to learn resulting in impaired functioning in verbal language, reasoning, or academic skills (as reading, writing, and mathematics) and are thought to be caused by difficulties in processing and integrating information

—abbreviation LD

learning disabled adjective