disability
noun
dis·abil·i·ty
| \ ˌdis-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē
\
\
Definition of disability
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 How, with his severe disability, has Hawking been able to out-think and out-intuit his leading colleague-competitors …— Kip S. Thorne Yet 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
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 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
2a(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
(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
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
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
Examples 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.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Perich was diagnosed with narcolepsy and took disability leave as a result. — Julie Moreau, NBC News, "Can a religious school fire a gay teacher? It's complicated.," 26 Aug. 2019 People on dialysis, who typically need three treatments a week, usually qualify for Medicare, the federal health insurance program for people 65 and older, and those with kidney failure and certain disabilities. — Los Angeles Times, "Dialysis industry is spending big — $2.5 million — to avoid oversight in California," 25 Aug. 2019 Waxahachie police are asking for the public's help in finding a 65-year-old man with a cognitive disability who has been missing since Thursday night. — Loyd Brumfield, Dallas News, "Waxahachie police searching for 65-year-old man missing since Thursday," 24 Aug. 2019 Documentation of a disability for the $15 fee is required with the application per state requirement by sending in a copy of your placard or license plate. — David Taylor, Houston Chronicle, "Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge accepting applications for waterfowl hunt," 24 Aug. 2019 Lime would introduce vehicles serving people with disabilities as 3% of its fleet over three months. — Mallory Moench, SFChronicle.com, "The next great wave of scooters could soon roll into SF," 23 Aug. 2019 In recent years, many corporate leaders have vocally embraced the importance of disability inclusion. — Nancy Geenen, Fortune, "Corporate Diversity Efforts Often Leave Out an Important Group: People With Disabilities," 23 Aug. 2019 Fifteen years ago, @johnelway was diagnosed with Dupuytren's contracture, a progressive medical condition that leads to hand disability. — Jenna West, SI.com, "John Elway Reveals 15-Year Battle With Dupuytren's Contracture," 22 Aug. 2019 Fifteen years ago, @johnelway was diagnosed with Dupuytren's contracture, a progressive medical condition that leads to hand disability. — Kyle Fredrickson, The Denver Post, "Broncos GM John Elway reveals hand condition on “Today” show," 22 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'disability.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for disability
disability
noun
dis·abil·i·ty
| \ ˌdi-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē
\
\
plural disabilities
Kids Definition of disability
: a condition (as one present at birth or caused by injury) that damages or limits a person's abilities : the state of being disabled
disability
noun
dis·abil·i·ty
| \ ˌdis-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē
\
\
plural disabilities
Medical Definition of disability
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 How, with his severe disability, has Hawking been able to out-think and out-intuit his leading colleague-competitors …— 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
2a(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
disability
noun
dis·abil·i·ty
plural disabilities
Legal Definition of disability
1
: inability to pursue an occupation because of a physical or mental impairment
specifically
: inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity because of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or to be of long continued or indefinite duration in accordance with the Social Security Act — see also benefit, Americans with Disabilities Act — compare incapacity, occupational disease
2
: lack of legal qualification to do something
a minor's disability
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