disability

The word “disability” means a physical or mental condition that significantly limits a person's abilities or functioning. In plain terms, a lasting condition that limits what someone can do physically or mentally, or the benefit paid to someone in that situation.

“Disability” is pronounced dih-suh-BIH-lih-tee (/dɪsəˈbɪlɪti/ in IPA).

Here is “disability” used in a sentence: “The building added ramps to accommodate people with a disability.”

“Disability” is a noun.

The word “disability” dates back to around 1570. From disable plus the noun-forming suffix -ity, first recorded around 1570.

“Disability” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Disability” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a physical or mental condition that significantly limits a person's abilities or functioning.

An impairment is a loss or difference in a body function or structure, while a disability is the resulting limitation on a person's activities or full participation. In short, the impairment is the underlying condition and the disability is its effect on everyday functioning.

'Disability' is the preferred, neutral term for a condition that limits functioning. 'Handicap' is now often regarded as dated or offensive when applied to people, though it survives in contexts such as sport and golf.

A learning disability is a condition that affects how a person takes in, processes, or retains certain kinds of information, which can make specific tasks such as reading or maths harder. The exact meaning of the term can vary between countries.