What does cognition mean?
Word: Cognition
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Cognition means the mental processes by which we come to know things, such as remembering, understanding and learning.
Synonyms: perception, understanding, reasoning
Word origin: From Latin cognoscere, to get to know.
How do you spell cognition?
Syllables: cog - ni - tion
Tricky part: The g and n are both sounded, in different syllables, so do not let a vowel creep in between them: cogination is a common slip.
Watch out for: cogination, cognision, cogneshun
Memory tip: The cogs of the mind turn during cognition, and the word itself starts with cog.
Cognition in a sentence
Example 1: Lack of sleep can slow down cognition during exams.
Example 2: The scientists tested how music affects cognition in young children.
Example 3: Puzzles like sudoku give your cognition a daily workout.
Fun Fact
The same Latin root shows up in recognise and incognito; someone travelling incognito does not want to be known.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word cognition as used in the sentence:
Regular exercise is known to sharpen cognition in older adults.
a) eyesight
b) appetite
c) thinking
d) balance
Show answer
c) thinking. Cognition is the work of the mind, so thinking is the match.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
cogniction
a) g
b) t
c) c
d) n
Show answer
c) c. Cognition has only one c, at the very start; the c before the t is extra.
Word Cookie
Fill in the missing letters to complete the word:
cogn_ti_n
a) e, o
b) e, a
c) i, a
d) i, o
Show answer
d) i, o. An i follows the gn, and the ending is the -tion of nation and station.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt correctly. Choose its meaning:
1. concentrasion 2. memmory 3. intelect 4. cognition
a) giving all your attention to one thing
b) the power to keep things in the mind
c) the power to think and reason clearly
d) the work the mind does to know and understand
Show answer
d) the work the mind does to know and understand. Memmory has one letter too many, intelect one too few, and concentrasion spells its ending by sound; cognition is correct.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which activity relies most on cognition?
a) solving a riddle
b) shivering in the cold
c) sneezing at dust
d) blinking in sunlight
Show answer
a) solving a riddle
2. Cognitive science is the study of ____.
a) how stars form
b) how the mind works
c) how plants grow
d) how rocks are formed
Show answer
b) how the mind works
