disability
noun
dis·abil·i·ty
ˌdis-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 
1
: a physical, mental, cognitive, or developmental condition that impairs, interferes with, or limits a person's ability to engage in certain tasks or actions or participate in typical daily activities and interactions
Scientists have tentatively linked the reading disability known as dyslexia to a bevy of brain disturbances.—
Science News
Science NewsHow, with his severe disability, has Hawking been able to out-think and out-intuit his leading colleague-competitors …—Kip S. Thorne
Kip S. ThorneYet one ends up admiring him for his devotion to the disability that could have unmade his career as an actor. It is through his deafness that we hear his story.—Lennard J. Davis
Lennard J. Davis
also
: impaired function or ability
Sarcopenia is a loss of muscle mass and strength that normally occurs with aging, and it's a major cause of frailty and disability in the elderly. —Andrew Weil
Andrew Weil Thrombolytic therapy has been used in patients with acute ischemic stroke to restore cerebral blood flow, reduce ischemia, and limit neurologic disability. —Werner Hacke
see also intellectual disability, learning disability
Werner Hacke 2
a(1)
: an impairment (such as a chronic medical condition or injury) that prevents someone from engaging in gainful employment
… monthly payment to which a worker is entitled upon retirement or disability under the federal social security system …—Robert I. Mehr
Robert I. Mehr
(2)
: an impairment (such as spina bifida) that results in serious functional limitations for a minor
b
: a program providing financial support to a person affected by disability
… those who fit the criteria for dysthymia were more likely to have physical and emotional problems and more likely to be on Medicaid or Social Security disability than those with acute depression.—Melinda Beck
Melinda Beck
also
: the financial support provided by such a program
… he collects disability on account of his exposure to Agent Orange during his years as an Army MP in Vietnam. —Jason Fagone
Jason Fagone 3
: a disqualification, restriction, or disadvantage
economic disabilities
4
: lack of legal qualification to do something
… Defoe … dramatised the gravity of the problem in the morally desperate expedient which Roxana is forced to adopt to overcome the legal disabilities of women.—Ian Watt
Ian WattExamples of disability in a Sentence
She has learned to keep a positive attitude about her disability.
disabilities such as blindness and deafness
a program for children with disabilities
It's a serious disease that can cause disability or death.
After he injured his back he had to quit his job and go on disability.
Recent Examples on the Web
The second phase will include 57 units for seniors and classrooms for TRACE, the district’s school for adults with disabilities.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2024
People with disabilities can apply for an assistance stop and opt out of getting a trash cart.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2024
Consistent with his work in television, Section 504 prohibited discrimination — this time, for people with disabilities.
—Meredith Ogilvie-Thompson, Variety, 17 Apr. 2024
The plaintiffs argue the rules for voters with such disabilities also violates the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act.
—Journal Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2024
Last year, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) announced a significant increase in the hiring of minorities, women, and persons with disabilities across the 17 agencies that make up the U.S. intelligence community.
—Kenin M. Spivak, National Review, 15 Apr. 2024
According to a 2021 study, scuba diving was found to help people with physical disabilities build their self-esteem, improve their motor skills, and decrease pain.
—Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024
More than 2,000 Kansans with physical disabilities are also waiting for services.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2024
As well as government buildings, gangs have also destroyed or severely damaged a center for children with disabilities, pharmacies, and medical clinics.
—Pierre Esperance, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2024
David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2024
People with disabilities can apply for an assistance stop and opt out of getting a trash cart.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2024
Consistent with his work in television, Section 504 prohibited discrimination — this time, for people with disabilities.
—Meredith Ogilvie-Thompson, Variety, 17 Apr. 2024
The plaintiffs argue the rules for voters with such disabilities also violates the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act.
—Journal Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2024
Last year, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) announced a significant increase in the hiring of minorities, women, and persons with disabilities across the 17 agencies that make up the U.S. intelligence community.
—Kenin M. Spivak, National Review, 15 Apr. 2024
According to a 2021 study, scuba diving was found to help people with physical disabilities build their self-esteem, improve their motor skills, and decrease pain.
—Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024
More than 2,000 Kansans with physical disabilities are also waiting for services.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2024
As well as government buildings, gangs have also destroyed or severely damaged a center for children with disabilities, pharmacies, and medical clinics.
—Pierre Esperance, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'disability.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near disability
Cite this Entry
“Disability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disability. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
disability
noun
dis·abil·i·ty
ˌdis-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē
plural disabilities
1
: the condition of being disabled : lack of ability, power, or fitness to do something
2
: something that disables (as a physical injury)
Medical Definition
disability
noun
dis·abil·i·ty
ˌdis-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē
plural disabilities
1
: a physical, mental, cognitive, or developmental condition that impairs, interferes with, or limits a person's ability to engage in certain tasks or actions or participate in typical daily activities and interactions
Scientists have tentatively linked the reading disability known as dyslexia to a bevy of brain disturbances.—Science News
Science NewsHow, with his severe disability, has Hawking been able to out-think and out-intuit his leading colleague-competitors …—Kip S. Thorne
Kip S. Thorne
also
: impaired function or ability
Thrombolytic therapy has been used in patients with acute ischemic stroke to restore cerebral blood flow, reduce ischemia, and limit neurologic disability. —Werner Hacke
see also intellectual disability, learning disability
Werner Hacke 2
a(1)
: an impairment (as a chronic medical condition or injury) that prevents someone from engaging in gainful employment
(2)
: an impairment (as spina bifida) that results in serious functional limitations for a minor
b
: a program providing financial support to a person affected by disability
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