noun
cognition
kahg-NISH-uhn/kɑːɡˈnɪʃn/
The mental process of acquiring and understanding knowledge.
The student relies on cognition to solve the spatial puzzle.
Etymology
The components ‘together’ and ‘know’ form a verb meaning ‘get to know’ or ‘recognize.’ Cognition names the act or process of knowing, later extended to include perception and sensation.
In context
the thing we call cognition which are these highlevel kind of mental processes and goals has to filter down to the molecular biology of your cells
More examples
- Sleep supports cognition by helping the brain process new information.
- Researchers study how aging affects cognition.
- Learning a new skill involves several aspects of cognition.
Forms
cognition
cognitive adjective — Related to thinking, learning, and understanding.
Similar words
- understanding
- Focuses on grasping meaning rather than the broader mental process.
- learning
- Emphasizes acquiring knowledge or skills rather than processing knowledge generally.