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
About one-third of student inputs reflected more advanced cognitive complexity, and 20% of all inputs were at levels consistent with higher-order critical thinking.
—Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
However, Trump has frequently suggested that some of Biden’s actions are invalid because his aides were usurping presidential authority to cover up what Trump claims is Biden’s cognitive decline.
—Matt Brown, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
The good news is that these results could help identify early risk factors for the condition before cognitive impairment begins.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 5 June 2025
Getty/Newsweek What To Know Prospective parents can upload up to 20 embryo DNA files from their IVF clinics for over 900 genetic analyses spanning cancers, chronic conditions, appearance, cognitive ability, mental health, and other conditions.
—Isabel Van Brugen, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for cognitive
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Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
However, Trump has frequently suggested that some of Biden’s actions are invalid because his aides were usurping presidential authority to cover up what Trump claims is Biden’s cognitive decline.
—Matt Brown, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
The good news is that these results could help identify early risk factors for the condition before cognitive impairment begins.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 5 June 2025
Getty/Newsweek What To Know Prospective parents can upload up to 20 embryo DNA files from their IVF clinics for over 900 genetic analyses spanning cancers, chronic conditions, appearance, cognitive ability, mental health, and other conditions.
—Isabel Van Brugen, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 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 9 Jun. 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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