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
Additionally, the presence of amyloid plaques does not always align with cognitive impairment.
—Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 26 June 2024
Client had significant mental health issues that could have been confused with signs of impairment by substances.
—Lourdes Casanova, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2024
Prenatal alcohol exposure can cause eye problems, hearing, speech and language disorders, developmental delays and cognitive impairment.
—Jennifer Brookland, Detroit Free Press, 24 June 2024
For the study, researchers relied on participants to report on any memory loss or cognitive impairment experienced by their parents.
—Lisa Rapaport, EverydayHealth.com, 18 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for impairment 
Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 26 June 2024
Client had significant mental health issues that could have been confused with signs of impairment by substances.
—Lourdes Casanova, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2024
Prenatal alcohol exposure can cause eye problems, hearing, speech and language disorders, developmental delays and cognitive impairment.
—Jennifer Brookland, Detroit Free Press, 24 June 2024
For the study, researchers relied on participants to report on any memory loss or cognitive impairment experienced by their parents.
—Lisa Rapaport, EverydayHealth.com, 18 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for impairment
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'impairment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Impairment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impairment. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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