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
This could raise alarm bells for the potential effect of microplastics on human brain health, for instance increasing the risk of stroke or cognitive decline—however, more research is needed before coming to those conclusions.
—Hatty Willmoth, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
Now, research from my lab and others suggests that GLP-1 drugs could help treat dozens of other ailments as well, including cognitive issues and addiction problems.
—Ziyad Al-Aly, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2025
My mother has mobility issues and was diagnosed with cognitive decline, and her doctor advised her against solo travel.
—R. Eric Thomas, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2025
And studies of the ostensible harm that carrying smartphones does to cognitive abilities have been contradictory and inconclusive.
—Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cognitive 
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.
Hatty Willmoth, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
Now, research from my lab and others suggests that GLP-1 drugs could help treat dozens of other ailments as well, including cognitive issues and addiction problems.
—Ziyad Al-Aly, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2025
My mother has mobility issues and was diagnosed with cognitive decline, and her doctor advised her against solo travel.
—R. Eric Thomas, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2025
And studies of the ostensible harm that carrying smartphones does to cognitive abilities have been contradictory and inconclusive.
—Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 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 31 Jan. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share