First Known Use: 1586
Dictionary
cognitive
adjective cog·ni·tive \ˈkäg-nə-tiv\
: of, relating to, or involving conscious mental activities (such as thinking, understanding, learning, and remembering)
Full Definition of COGNITIVE
1
: of, relating to, being, or involving conscious intellectual activity (as thinking, reasoning, or remembering) <cognitive impairment>
See cognitive defined for English-language learners
See cognitive defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Examples of COGNITIVE
- 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
- Further into the forebrain, motor functions trail off and cognitive functions, involving planning and thinking about the future, begin. —Sandra Blakeslee, New York Times, 8 Nov. 1994
- [+]more
Origin of COGNITIVE
(see cognition)
Other Psychology Terms
Medical Dictionary
cognitive
adjective cog·ni·tive \ˈkäg-nət-iv\
Medical Definition of COGNITIVE
: of, relating to, or being conscious intellectual activity (as thinking, reasoning, remembering, imagining, or learning words) <the cognitive elements of perception—C. H. Hamburg>
—cog·ni·tive·ly adverb
Learn More About COGNITIVE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: cognitive dissonancePrevious Word in the Dictionary: cognitionAll Words Near: cognitive
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up cognitive? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).