cognition

noun

cog·​ni·​tion käg-ˈni-shən How to pronounce cognition (audio)
Synonyms of cognitionnext
: cognitive mental processes
A concussion impaired the patient's cognition.
also : a product of these processes
cognitional
käg-ˈni-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce cognition (audio)
adjective

Examples of cognition in a Sentence

disabilities affecting cognition and judgment
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In subsequent research, Maki found that hormone therapy may improve cognition — but only in women experiencing the most severe symptoms. —Lisa Jarvis, Twin Cities, 23 Nov. 2025 This system divides cognition and control into specialized layers for strategic reasoning/task planning, rapid response, and fine motor precision. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Nov. 2025 Social media stole their attention; AI risks stealing their cognition. —Erica Dhawan, Fortune, 18 Nov. 2025 The limbic system has two neighboring regions, the hippocampus and the entorhinal cortex, both of which are implicated in spatial cognition. —Literary Hub, 14 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cognition

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cognicioun "comprehension, ability to comprehend," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French cognicion "knowledge, jurisdiction," borrowed from Latin cognitiōn-, cognitiō "act of getting to know, comprehension, investigation," from cogni-, variant stem of cognōscere "to get to know, acquire knowledge of, become acquainted with, investigate" (from co- co- + gnōscere, nōscere "to get to know," inchoative derivative from Indo-European *ǵneh3-, *ǵṇh3- "to know, recognize") + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at know entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cognition was in the 15th century

Rhymes for cognition

See All Rhymes for cognition

Browse Nearby Words

cognatus
cognition
cognitive
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cognition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cognition. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

cognition

noun
cog·​ni·​tion käg-ˈnish-ən How to pronounce cognition (audio)
: the act or process of knowing

Medical Definition

cognition

noun
cog·​ni·​tion käg-ˈnish-ən How to pronounce cognition (audio)
1
: cognitive mental processes
2
: a conscious intellectual act
conflict between cognitions
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What’s the difference between ‘cemetery’ and ‘graveyard’?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

13 Wonderful Words That You're Not Using (Yet)

Skibidi, Mog & More: Gen Alpha Slang

Ten Kinds of Happiness

The Words of the Week - Nov. 21

17 Words for Dog Breeds
See More

Popular

See More

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

13 Wonderful Words That You're Not Using (Yet)

Skibidi, Mog & More: Gen Alpha Slang
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-633b10471e2d4
Name That Thing MegaQuiz: Vol. 2 Test your visual vocabulary!
See All