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

The film follows a couple facing old age and the risk of losing their land while caring for their adult son Naraan, who has intellectual disabilities. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025

Yet, as Kelsey Oates, an autistic entrepreneur who founded a digital platform for the intellectual disability community, explained, those words often mean little without action. —Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025

The visit celebrated the partnership of the center, which serves students with intellectual disabilities, autism and various learning difficulties, and Jewel-Osco, which currently employs seven iCan Dream Center students at stores in the area. —Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025

Levi has an intellectual disability and, now 3, is tube fed. —Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 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