ˈdæmɪdʒ dɪˌtɪəɹɪəˈɹeɪʃən dəˌti.ɹi.əˈɹeɪ.ʃən dɪsəˈbɪlɪti dɪsˈeɪbəl.mənt ˈhændɪkæp hɑɹm hɑːm the act of making something futile and useless (as by routine) damage that results in a reduction of strength or quality the occurrence of a change for the worse the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness reading disability hearing impairment a symptom of reduced quality or strength