Meaning & use

cognitive decline

noun·Academic

A gradual loss of mental abilities such as memory, reasoning, or attention, often associated with aging or illness.

See it in a sentence

Regular exercise may help slow cognitive decline in older adults.

The doctor ran several tests to check for early signs of cognitive decline.

A note on using this word

Mild cognitive decline is a normal part of aging, but rapid or severe decline can signal conditions such as dementia and needs medical evaluation.

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