noun

disability

dih-suh-BIH-lih-tee

noun

A physical or mental condition that significantly limits a person's abilities or functioning.

"The building added ramps to accommodate people with a disability."

"She has spoken publicly about living with a disability since childhood."

Regular payments made to someone who cannot work because of such a condition, usually from the government or an insurer.

"He has been on disability since the accident."

"She applied for disability after her surgery left her unable to work."

How to Use Disability

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA lasting condition that limits what someone can do physically or mentally, or the benefit paid to someone in that situation.

Common pairings

learning disability people with disabilities disability benefits physical disability

disabilities plural

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The building added ramps to accommodate people with a _____.

From disable plus the noun-forming suffix -ity, first recorded around 1570.

city pity deity unity entity equity nudity oddity enmity uppity vanity cavity