cognitive
adjective
cog·ni·tive
ˈkäg-nə-tiv 
1
: of, relating to, being, or involving conscious intellectual activity (such as thinking, reasoning, or remembering)
cognitive impairment
cognitive tests
2
philosophy
: based on or capable of being reduced to empirical factual knowledge
cognitively
adverb
Examples of cognitive in a Sentence
The best toys for toddlers engage their interests while developing their fine motor, gross motor, cognitive, and social skills.
—
Ashley Ziegler and Katrina Cossey, Parents, 12 Nov. 2024
Homo sapiens' survival is founded in their filling an evolutionary niche referred to as the cognitive niche.
—Daniel Grassam, Skeptical Inquirer, July/August 2001
Researchers are debating whether heading balls can dent the cognitive skills of young soccer players for life.
—Lisa McLaughlin, Time, 5 June 2000
Ashley Ziegler and Katrina Cossey, Parents, 12 Nov. 2024
Homo sapiens' survival is founded in their filling an evolutionary niche referred to as the cognitive niche.
—Daniel Grassam, Skeptical Inquirer, July/August 2001
Researchers are debating whether heading balls can dent the cognitive skills of young soccer players for life.
—Lisa McLaughlin, Time, 5 June 2000
Recent Examples on the Web
Selenium has also been associated with reducing your risk of Alzheimer's disease, improving cognitive function and decreasing symptoms related to asthma.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2025
In one study, patients with Alzheimer's who consumed a Mediterranean diet rich in coconut oil saw improvements in their cognitive function and memory.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Ld, Health, 4 Feb. 2025
By contrast, failure modes often manifest as insecurity, inflexibility, and low cognitive ability.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 3 Feb. 2025
Heart disease and high blood pressure reduce blood flow to the brain and impair cognitive function.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cognitive 
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Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2025
In one study, patients with Alzheimer's who consumed a Mediterranean diet rich in coconut oil saw improvements in their cognitive function and memory.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Ld, Health, 4 Feb. 2025
By contrast, failure modes often manifest as insecurity, inflexibility, and low cognitive ability.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 3 Feb. 2025
Heart disease and high blood pressure reduce blood flow to the brain and impair cognitive function.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cognitive
Dictionary Entries Near cognitive
Cite this Entry
“Cognitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cognitive. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cognitive
adjective
cog·ni·tive
ˈkäg-nət-iv
: of, relating to, or being conscious mental activities (as thinking, reasoning, remembering, imagining, learning words, and using language)
Medical Definition
cognitive
adjective
cog·ni·tive
ˈkäg-nət-iv
: of, relating to, or being conscious intellectual activity (as thinking, reasoning, remembering, imagining, or learning words)
the cognitive elements of perception—C. H. Hamburg
C. H. Hamburg
cognitively
adverb
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