3 syllables: cog, ni, tion. Stress on ni.
kahg-NISH-uhn
/kɑˈɡnɪʃən/
cognition is pronounced kahg-NISH-uhn (/kɑˈɡnɪʃən/). It has three syllables (cog-ni-tion), with the stress on "ni". Cognition refers to the mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge, understanding, perception, memory, and reasoning. It encompasses how you think, learn, and solve problems, including conscious awareness and subconscious processing that drives behavior. In academic contexts, cognition often relates to the study of how the brain and mind process information.
Cognition refers to the mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge, understanding, perception, memory, and reasoning. It encompasses how you think, learn, and solve problems, including conscious awareness and subconscious processing that drives behavior. In academic contexts, cognition often relates to the study of how the brain and mind process information.
"Researchers study cognition to understand how people solve complex tasks and make decisions."
"Cognitive psychology explores memory, attention, and problem-solving within cognition."
"Educational tools aim to enhance cognition by improving focus and information processing."
Pronounce as /ˈkɒɡ.nɪ.ʃən/ in UK and US as /ˈkɒɡ.nɪ.ʃən/. The first syllable carries primary stress: 'COG' as a short, rounded vowel /ɒ/ (US /ɑ/ in many dialects), the middle is a short /nɪ/, and the ending is /ʃən/ with a soft 'shun' sound. Tip: keep the 'g' hard, like 'gog,' not 'jog.'
Common errors include misplacing stress (e.g., saying /ˈkoʊɡ.nɪˌʃən/ with a longer vowel in the first syllable) and softening the /ɡ/ to /dʒ/ or mispronouncing /ɡn/ as separate; many learners insert an extra vowel like /ɪ/ between /ɡ/ and /n/. Correction: keep /ɡn/ together as a single cluster after the stressed /ˈkɒɡ/ and end with /ɪʃən/.
In US English, /ˈkɑɡ.nɪ.ʃən/ often uses a broader /ɑ/ in the first vowel and a less rhotic 'r' influence here; UK might lean toward /ˈkɒɡ.nɪ.ʃən/ with a shorter /ɒ/ and non-rhotic r. Australian tends toward /ˈkɒɡ.nɪ.ʃən/ with clear enunciation of /ɡ/ and a slightly flatter /ɪ/ in the middle. Overall, rhyme and rhythm remain similar, but vowel quality and rhoticity differ.
The difficulty lies in the /ɡn/ cluster immediately after the stressed vowel and the unstressed ending /ʃən/. Learners often insert an extra vowel or separate the /ɡ/ from the /n/. The intake of air and tongue position must allow the velar stop /ɡ/ to blend into the nasal /n/ without breaking the cluster. Practice keeping the /ɡn/ tight and the final /ʃən/ relaxed.
The unique feature is stressing the first syllable and delivering the /ɡn/ combo cleanly, so the sequence sounds like 'kog-nish-ən' rather than 'kog-nis-tion.' Pay attention to the short schwa-less middle-vowel quality and the soft, unstressed final /ən/. IPA anchors: /ˈkɒɡ.nɪ.ʃən/ (UK/US).
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "cognition"!
Cognition comes from the Latin word cognitio, meaning knowledge or acquaintance, from cogitare 'to think' (literally 'to think about, consider'). The root cog- emerges from con- 'together' + gnos- 'know' (as in recognition, diagnosis). Early Latin philosophers used cognitiō to describe the act of knowing and understanding. In medieval Latin, cognition referred to the act or faculty of knowing, often in theological or philosophical contexts. By the 17th and 18th centuries, as empirical science advanced, cognition broadened to cover mental processes like memory, perception, and judgment in psychology and cognitive science. The term appears in English texts in the 17th century and became central to debates about the nature and limits of knowledge, leading to its modern usage in psychology, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence as a broad umbrella for the processes by which beings perceive, think, and know. Today, cognition encompasses a wide range of mental activities—from sensory input and attention to problem-solving and language understanding—and is foundational in studies of cognition science and human-computer interaction.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "cognition" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "cognition" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "cognition" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "cognition"
-ion sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
