Comprehension: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when talking about the ability to understand complex ideas or reading text.

• Her comprehension of the scientific principles was impressive.
• Reading comprehension is a crucial skill for academic success.

Used in a broad sense to indicate general awareness or knowledge of a subject.

• Her understanding of world history is very deep.
• There is a growing understanding of the importance of mental health.

Often used when someone quickly or firmly understands an idea or concept.

• He quickly got a grasp of the new programming language.
• Do you have a good grasp of the instructions?

Applied when explaining the meaning of something, like data, text, or artwork.

• Her interpretation of the poem was unique.
• Different people have different interpretations of the same event.

Best used in educational or cognitive contexts where you are referring to the ability to understand concepts, texts, or material.

• Her comprehension of the mathematical principles is impressive.
• Reading comprehension is essential for academic success.

A general term suitable for a wide range of situations, from basic comprehension to deep insight into a topic or situation.

• Her understanding of foreign languages is quite extensive.
• With a better understanding of the problem, we can find a suitable solution.

Often used when there is a sense of anxiety or fear about understanding or foreseeing something, such as consequences or future events. Can have a negative connotation.

• He looked at the storm clouds with apprehension.
• There was a sense of apprehension before the exam results were announced.

Commonly used to describe the act of quickly and firmly understanding complex ideas or concepts. It can also refer to physically holding something, but in this context, it relates to mental understanding.

• She had no difficulty grasping the main points of the lecture.
• His grasping of the new software was remarkable.

A repeated mention, see first entry for details.

Refers to the mental processes involved in gaining knowledge and understanding, typically used in psychology or neuroscience.

• Cognition involves memory, problem-solving, and decision-making.
• This study focuses on the cognition of elderly patients.

Used to describe the act of understanding something, often in real-time or as part of a process.

• She had difficulty comprehending the instructions.
• Comprehending complex theories can be challenging.

Describes the ability to learn, understand, and make judgments or have opinions that are based on reason; often used more broadly than just academic understanding and can also refer to emotional or social understanding.

• His intelligence is evident in how quickly he learns new concepts.
• Emotional intelligence is crucial for effective leadership.