retardation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical, Medical, Formal
Quick answer
What does “retardation” mean?
The act or process of making something slower or later.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act or process of making something slower or later; a delay in development or progress.
1. The condition of being delayed in development, especially intellectual or cognitive development. 2. A reduction in the speed or efficiency of a process, reaction, or mechanism. 3. In physics, the delaying of a wave or oscillation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or pronunciation differences. The pejorative use of the related verb/noun 'retard' is common in both varieties. Both avoid the medical term for people.
Connotations
In both, the term carries strong negative, offensive connotations when applied to people. In technical contexts (e.g., 'flame retardation', 'mental retardation' in historical texts), it is neutral but dated.
Frequency
Rare in everyday speech in both regions due to its offensiveness. Found in historical medical texts, and in specific technical compounds (e.g., 'retardation plate' in optics).
Grammar
How to Use “retardation” in a Sentence
retardation of [NOUN]retardation in [NOUN PHRASE][ADJECTIVE] retardationVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “retardation” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The additive is used to retard the setting of the concrete.
- Cold weather may retard plant growth.
American English
- The treatment aims to retard the progression of the disease.
- A faulty sensor could retard ignition.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial form derived directly from 'retardation'. The verb 'retard' is not used with -ly.]
American English
- [No standard adverbial form derived directly from 'retardation'.]
adjective
British English
- The material is flame-retardant. (hyphenated compound adjective)
- He studied mental retardation in historical context.
American English
- The fabric was treated with a retardant coating.
- Historical diagnoses of retardation are now obsolete.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in 'economic retardation' to describe slowed growth.
Academic
Used in historical psychology/medicine texts. Current in physics/engineering (e.g., 'phase retardation').
Everyday
Extremely rare and avoided due to offensiveness. The verb 'retard' is pejorative slang.
Technical
Standard in compounds like 'flame retardant', 'retardation time' in rheology, 'retardation plate' in optics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “retardation”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “retardation”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “retardation”
- Using the term to refer to people with intellectual disabilities (offensive).
- Confusing 'retardation' (noun) with 'retardant' (adjective/noun for a substance).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. This usage is now considered offensive and outdated. Preferred terms are 'intellectual disability', 'developmental delay', or 'learning difficulties'.
'Retardation' is a noun meaning the act or process of delaying. 'Retardant' is usually an adjective or noun describing a substance that causes retardation (e.g., flame retardant).
Rarely. In very specific contexts, like 'retardation of a disease process' or 'flame retardation', it describes a desirable slowing of something negative.
Because its historical medical use ('mental retardation') became a widespread pejorative insult ('retard'), stigmatising people with disabilities. This led to its abandonment in professional and social language.
The act or process of making something slower or later.
Retardation is usually technical, medical, formal in register.
Retardation: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriː.tɑːˈdeɪ.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌriː.tɑːrˈdeɪ.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this noun]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a car's RETARDer brake: it SLOWS the vehicle down. RETARDATION is the process of making something late or slow.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROGRESS IS FORWARD MOTION / DEVELOPMENT IS A JOURNEY. Therefore, RETARDATION IS AN OBSTACLE OR BRAKE ON THAT JOURNEY.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'retardation' still considered a standard, neutral technical term?