disability

[ dis-uh-bil-i-tee ]
/ ˌdɪs əˈbɪl ɪ ti /

noun, plural dis·a·bil·i·ties for 2.

lack of adequate power, strength, or physical or mental ability; incapacity.
a physical or mental handicap, especially one that prevents a person from living a full, normal life or from holding a gainful job.
anything that disables or puts one at a disadvantage: His mere six-foot height will be a disability in professional basketball.
the state or condition of being disabled.
legal incapacity; legal disqualification.

Origin of disability

First recorded in 1570–80; dis-1 + ability

synonym study for disability

1. Disability, inability imply a lack of power or ability. A disability is some disqualifying deprivation or loss of power, physical or other: excused because of a physical disability; a temporary disability. Inability is a lack of ability, usually because of an inherent lack of talent, power, etc.: inability to talk, to do well in higher mathematics.

Example sentences from the Web for disability

British Dictionary definitions for disability

disability
/ (ˌdɪsəˈbɪlɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

the condition of being unable to perform a task or function because of a physical or mental impairment
something that disables; handicap
lack of necessary intelligence, strength, etc
an incapacity in the eyes of the law to enter into certain transactions

usage for disability

Many deaf and hard of hearing people object to the use of the phrase hearing disability

Medical definitions for disability

disability
[ dĭs′ə-bĭlĭ-tē ]

n.

A disadvantage or deficiency, especially a physical or mental impairment that prevents or restricts normal achievement.