Advertisement - Continue reading below

Definition of "impair" []

  • To cause to diminish, as in strength, value, or quality: an injury that impaired my hearing; a severe storm impairing communications. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "impair" in a sentence
  • "Limits on expression impair the Chinese quality of life, mutes the ability of its political economy to secure progress, and can allow legitimate grievances to fester until they get out of control."
  • "The order says that states may not "impair" or even "condition" a national bank's ability to exercise its powers."
  • "We will ignore those requirements when we conclude that it will "impair" what occurs in the Executive branch."