intellectual disability

noun

: mild to severe impairment in intellectual ability equivalent to an IQ of 70 to 75 or below that is accompanied by significant limitations in social, practical, and conceptual skills (as in interpersonal communication, reasoning, or self-care) necessary for independent daily functioning and that has an onset before age 18

Note: The term intellectual disability is now preferred over mental retardation in medical, educational, and regulatory contexts, as well as in general use. The term mental retardation is increasingly considered offensive, though it was the dominant term into the second decade of the current century.

Examples of intellectual disability in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Loretta Claiborne, chief inspiration officer for the Special Olympics — the world’s largest sporting organization for people with intellectual disabilities — addressed Rock’s use of the slur in an open letter shared earlier this week. —Kate Reilly, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025

That includes a 2024 study in Sweden of about 2 million children, more than 180,000 of whom were exposed to acetaminophen during pregnancy, which found no associations between the pain medication and children’s risk of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability. —N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025

Christine Lehmann, a senior capital attorney specializing in defending clients with mental illness and intellectual disabilities, is assisting Youngblut’s legal defense. —Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 20 Oct. 2025

The family atmosphere at this unique property is fueled by the welcoming staff, many of whom are students at the ClemsonLIFE program, which provides a postsecondary college experience for young adults with intellectual disabilities. —Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for intellectual disability

• ability
• agility
• civility
• debility
• docility
• ductility
• facility
• fertility
• fragility
• futility
• gentility
• hostility

Kids Definition

intellectual disability

noun

: mild to severe impairment in intellectual ability accompanied by significant limitations in skills (as in communication, reasoning, or self-care) necessary for independent daily functioning

Medical Definition

intellectual disability

noun

: mild to severe impairment in intellectual ability equivalent to an IQ of 70 to 75 or below that is accompanied by significant limitations in social, practical, and conceptual skills (as in interpersonal communication, reasoning, or self-care) necessary for independent daily functioning and that has an onset before age 18

Note: The term intellectual disability is now preferred over mental retardation in medical, educational, and regulatory contexts, as well as in general use. The term mental retardation is increasingly considered offensive, though it was the dominant term into the second decade of the current century.

… Rosa's Law, which changed references in federal law from "mental retardation" to "intellectual disability" and references to a mentally retarded individual to an individual with an intellectual disability.

—Victor R. Martinez