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intend

verb
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in·​tend | \ in-ˈtend How to pronounce intend (audio) \
intended; intending; intends

Definition of intend

transitive verb

1a : to have in mind as a purpose or goal : plan
b : to design for a specified use or future
2a : signify, mean
b : to refer to
3 : to direct the mind on
4 archaic : to proceed on (a course)

intransitive verb

archaic : set out, start
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Other Words from intend

intender noun

Synonyms for intend

Synonyms

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Examples of intend in a Sentence

I didn't intend any disrespect. We intended that she come with us.
Recent Examples on the Web Biologists are not sure whether, or how long, the falcons intend to stay. — Steve Rubenstein, SFChronicle.com, "Peregrine falcons swoop into Alcatraz, and here come the chicks," 31 July 2020 But all intend to go back to school in person at some point in the coming months. — Grace Oldham, The Arizona Republic, "Arizona's major universities will open for the fall semester. Here's how and when they plan to do it," 31 July 2020 And if companies do not adapt or respond to their employees' health care needs, many of them intend to act—or even walk. — Rachel King, Fortune, "Who will business travelers hold accountable for their safety after the pandemic?," 29 July 2020 Despite bars being ideal places to spread the virus, DeWine doesn’t intend to do that at his Thursday briefing, his spokesman said. — cleveland, "Gov. Mike DeWine will not announce today he is closing Ohio bars. Why not? This Week in the CLE," 2 July 2020 Tournament planners don’t intend to cancel the 2020 event and will comply with all COVID-19 safety guidelines, said Moore. — USA TODAY, "Unwanted masks, homeless count, pork processor cleared: News from around our 50 states," 25 June 2020 Daniel McDonald, a spokesman for the predominantly Republican Senate majority, said senators do intend to reconvene later in the year on other matters, but there haven’t been new developments on AK CARES. — James Brooks, Anchorage Daily News, "Businesses, legislators say Alaska’s new grant program excludes many," 17 June 2020 The Legislature does not intend to recess or transition to remote voting, but alternative arrangements will be made for lawmakers who feel at risk. — USA TODAY, "Bull riding, Whac-a-Mole, prisoner release: News from around our 50 states," 14 July 2020 But the federal agencies now intend to move back to the old rule. — oregonlive, "Oregon, Oregon State go to court to block federal ruling that could bar foreign students," 13 July 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'intend.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of intend

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

History and Etymology for intend

Middle English entenden, intenden, from Anglo-French entendre, from Latin intendere to stretch out, direct, aim at, from in- + tendere to stretch — more at thin

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Time Traveler for intend

Time Traveler

The first known use of intend was in the 14th century

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Statistics for intend

Last Updated

5 Aug 2020

Cite this Entry

“Intend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intend. Accessed 5 Aug. 2020.

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More Definitions for intend

intend

verb
How to pronounce intend (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of intend

: to plan or want to do (something) : to have (something) in your mind as a purpose or goal
: to plan for or want (someone or something) to do or be something
: to want (something that you control, provide, or have made) to be used for a particular purpose or by a particular person

See the full definition for intend in the English Language Learners Dictionary

intend

verb
in·​tend | \ in-ˈtend How to pronounce intend (audio) \
intended; intending

Kids Definition of intend

: to have in mind as a purpose or goal : plan I intend to do better next time. I didn't intend to hurt you.

intend

transitive verb
in·​tend | \ in-ˈtend How to pronounce intend (audio) \

Legal Definition of intend

: to have in one's mind as a purpose or goal did not intend to kill her

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More from Merriam-Webster on intend

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for intend

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with intend

Spanish Central: Translation of intend

Nglish: Translation of intend for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of intend for Arabic Speakers

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