retardation

[ ree-tahr-dey-shuh n ]
/ ˌri tɑrˈdeɪ ʃən /

noun

the act of retarding or state of being retarded.
something that retards; hindrance.
Usually Offensive. slowness or limitation in intellectual understanding and awareness, emotional development, academic progress, etc. See also mental retardation.
Music. a form of suspension that is resolved upward.
Also re·tard·ment [ri-tahrd-muh nt] /rɪˈtɑrd mənt/.

Origin of retardation

1400–50; late Middle English retardacioun < Latin retardātiōn- (stem of retardātiō), equivalent to retardāt(us) (see retard, -ate1) + -iōn- -ion

usage note for retardation

See retarded.

OTHER WORDS FROM retardation

British Dictionary definitions for retardation

retardation

less commonly retardment (rɪˈtɑːdmənt)

/ (ˌriːtɑːˈdeɪʃən) /

noun

the act of retarding or the state of being retarded
something that retards; hindrance
the rate of deceleration
psychiatry the slowing down of mental functioning and bodily movement

Derived forms of retardation

retardative or retardatory, adjective

Medical definitions for retardation

retardation
[ rē′tär-dāshən ]

n.

The condition of being relatively slow in mental, emotional, or physical development.
The extent to which something is held back or delayed.
Mental retardation.