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)
c
: mental acuteness : shrewdness
b
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 Tap into your political intelligence skills to learn what is and isn’t important to your manager. Kathleen Shanley, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023 Federal investigators are working to understand the precise nature of Hana’s relationship with Egyptian government officials, including intelligence officers, and how far back those relationships may go. Marina Dias, Washington Post, 27 Nov. 2023 Plenty of other people are interested in finding such things — not just legitimate actors like journalists and prosecutors, but also dangerous ones, like blackmailers and foreign intelligence organizations. Jesse Gilbert, Rolling Stone, 27 Nov. 2023 Oversight officials on the congressional intelligence committees did not respond on Monday to inquiries from WIRED. Dell Cameron, WIRED, 27 Nov. 2023 Just to push you a little bit, should there be – does there need to be more transparency about the intelligence that Israel has, about the intelligence frankly that the United States has about Hamas? REP. Nbc Universal, NBC News, 26 Nov. 2023 Hamas’s October 7 attack shattered Israel’s sense of security and humiliated its intelligence and security apparatus. Joost R. Hiltermann, Foreign Affairs, 22 Nov. 2023 Hours before Israel's raid, the United States said its own intelligence indicated militants have used Shifa and other hospitals -- and tunnels beneath them -- to support military operations and hold hostages. Najib Jobain, arkansasonline.com, 16 Nov. 2023 The disclosure, which appears to have been unintentional, provides a tiny glimpse into the highly secretive world of signals intelligence and how communications may be intercepted. Matt Burgess, WIRED, 16 Nov. 2023 See More

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 8 Dec. 2023.

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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