intelligence

noun

in·​tel·​li·​gence in-ˈte-lə-jən(t)s How to pronounce intelligence (audio)
1
a(1)
: the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new or trying situations : reason
also : the skilled use of reason
(2)
: the ability to apply knowledge to manipulate one's environment or to think abstractly as measured by objective criteria (such as tests)
b
: mental acuteness : shrewdness
c
Christian Science : the basic eternal quality of divine Mind
2
b
: information concerning an enemy or possible enemy or an area
also : an agency engaged in obtaining such information
3
: the act of understanding : comprehension
4
: the ability to perform computer functions
5
a
: intelligent minds or mind
cosmic intelligence
b
: an intelligent entity
especially : angel

Examples of intelligence in a Sentence

She impressed us with her superior intelligence. a person of average intelligence gathering intelligence about a neighboring country's activities
Recent Examples on the Web In the British teen dramedy Boarders, five Black students of great intelligence, but modest means, are given scholarships to the elite private school St. Gilbert’s. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 8 Mar. 2024 And the number of ransomware payments did drop, said Jacqueline Koven, head of threat intelligence at Chainalysis, which tracks crypto transactions. Joseph Menn, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 Related Articles Nvidia becomes Tesla’s successor as market flips from electric vehicles to artificial intelligence OpenAI was founded as a check on what the founders believed is a serious threat that artificial generative intelligence, or AGI, posed to humanity. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2024 The leaks exposed embarrassing secrets and analysis from across the U.S. intelligence community involving Russia's war in Ukraine and North Korea's race to develop nuclear weapons. USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2024 Scientists can’t agree on what human intelligence is. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 5 Mar. 2024 Biden was lauded for his response; European leaders had wrongly predicted that Vladimir Putin was bluffing, but the Administration had released accurate intelligence in advance, which fortified Biden’s bid to rally NATO allies. Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 Letelier's killing, Glennon said, helped spark a Senate investigation that Glennon oversaw into the activities of friendly foreign intelligence agencies in the United States. Ryan Lucas, NPR, 25 Feb. 2024 While there had been Western intelligence warnings of a looming Russian invasion for months prior, the announcement took many by surprise. Sophie Tanno, CNN, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intelligence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin intelligentia, from intelligent-, intelligens intelligent

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of intelligence was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near intelligence

Cite this Entry

“Intelligence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intelligence. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

intelligence

noun
in·​tel·​li·​gence in-ˈtel-ə-jən(t)s How to pronounce intelligence (audio)
1
: the ability to learn and understand or to deal with problems : reason
2
b
: information concerning an enemy or possible enemy
also : an agency engaged in obtaining such information

Medical Definition

intelligence

noun
in·​tel·​li·​gence in-ˈtel-ə-jən(t)s How to pronounce intelligence (audio)
1
a
: the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new or trying situations
b
: the ability to apply knowledge to manipulate one's environment or to think abstractly as measured by objective criteria (as tests)
2
: mental acuteness
intelligent adjective
intelligently adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on intelligence

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