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
Recognizing the risk of cognitive autopilot is the first step toward reclaiming intellectual agency.
—Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
When her husband appeared to be experiencing cognitive difficulties (a question that the series intentionally leaves open-ended), Sheila was ready to call him on it for the good of the country.
—Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Mar. 2025
As the planet of communication, Mercury governs everything from our cognitive functioning and thought processes to our immediate surroundings and exchanges.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025
Data was collected from participants in Australia and the U.S. aged 65 years and older without major cognitive deficits, physical disability, or cardiovascular disease.
—Cathy Nelson, Health, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cognitive
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Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
When her husband appeared to be experiencing cognitive difficulties (a question that the series intentionally leaves open-ended), Sheila was ready to call him on it for the good of the country.
—Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Mar. 2025
As the planet of communication, Mercury governs everything from our cognitive functioning and thought processes to our immediate surroundings and exchanges.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025
Data was collected from participants in Australia and the U.S. aged 65 years and older without major cognitive deficits, physical disability, or cardiovascular disease.
—Cathy Nelson, Health, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cognitive
Cite this Entry
“Cognitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cognitive. Accessed 13 Mar. 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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