senility

noun

se·​nil·​i·​ty si-ˈni-lə-tē 

 also  se-

: the quality or state of being senile : the physical and mental decline associated with old age

especially : the deterioration of cognitive functioning associated with old age

Note: Due to its negative implication that cognitive decline is part of the normal aging process, use of the term senility is now typically avoided in medical contexts and may be considered offensive in general contexts. Dementia is usually considered the appropriate term to use when describing the serious progressive cognitive decline that most commonly affects older adults.

Synonyms

• caducity
• dotage
• second childhood

Examples of senility in a Sentence

with his increasing senility, Granddad is beginning to have more and more senior moments

Recent Examples on the Web

Retired veteran Stacy Keach is drifting into senility, as well as frequent flashbacks to his Korean War service, while concerned librarian spouse June Squibb tries to keep him present in the here-and-now. —Dennis Harvey, Variety, 23 Oct. 2024

Just as large majorities of the electorate were exposed to Biden’s onrushing senility, so will they be exposed to Harris’s numerous weaknesses. —John Tamny, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024

The mood changed in the late 1950s, however, when U.S. officials in South Korea increasingly took note of Rhee’s apparent senility. —Joshua Byun, Foreign Affairs, 18 July 2024

These two cases also underscore how foreign suspicions of senility can have significant ramifications for foreign policy. —Joshua Byun, Foreign Affairs, 18 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

senility

noun

se·​nil·​i·​ty si-ˈnil-ət-ē 

: the quality or state of being senile

especially : a decline in mental abilities that is associated with old age

Medical Definition

senility

noun

se·​nil·​i·​ty

si-ˈnil-ət-ē also se-

plural senilities

: the quality or state of being senile : the physical and mental decline associated with old age

especially : the deterioration of cognitive functioning associated with old age

Note: Due to its negative implication that cognitive decline is part of the normal aging process, use of the term senility is now typically avoided in medical contexts and may be considered offensive in general contexts. Dementia is usually considered the appropriate term to use when describing the serious progressive cognitive decline that most commonly affects older adults.