Disability

/dɪsəˈbɪlɪti/ · noun

Meaning

(countable, medical model of disability) A condition characterised by a significant limitation in a person's physical or intellectual powers or ability..

Definitions by Sense

1. (countable, medical model of disability) A condition characterised by a significant limitation in a person's physical or intellectual powers or ability.
2. (uncountable) The state of having such a condition; the state of being disabled.
3. (countable, social model of disability) A limitation in function (the things that a person can do or achieve) that is driven by any combination of their impairments (the medical facts about them) and the imperfect state of society's inaccessibility that sometimes fails to accommodate their needs.
4. (countable, obsolete) An inability.
5. (countable, law) A lack of legal qualification to do something; legal incapacity or incompetency.
6. (uncountable, informal) Regular payments received by a disabled person, usually from the state.

Example Sentences

people with disabilities

Chatham refused to see him, pleading his disability. The King himself intervened by a letter[…]Chatham yielded to such persuasion; though suffering from a universal tremor.

While physical and sensory disability is usually identified by asking a subject what he or she can or cannot do (with or without assistance), cognitive disability is assessed with a test such as a mental status questionnaire (MSQ).

Grossest faults, or disabilities to perform what was covenanted.

I had to go on disability after the accident.

Did you get your disability this month?

Synonyms for disability

Antonyms for disability

Related Words

Word Forms

• disabilities

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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