intend

verb

in·​tend in-ˈtend 

intended; intending; intends

transitive verb

1

a

: to have in mind as a purpose or goal : plan

b

: to design for a specified use or future

2

a

: 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

intender noun

Synonyms of intend

• plan
• mean
• hope
• contemplate
• aim
• wish
• try
• go

Examples of intend in a Sentence

I didn't intend any disrespect.

We intended that she come with us.

Recent Examples on the Web

With a 125-122 lead and the ball in the closing seconds, James threw a dangerous cross-court pass intended for Doncic that Nicolas Batum stole. —Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026

That was followed by another mishap in September, when the booster originally intended for Alpha's seventh flight exploded during prelaunch testing. —Josh Dinner, Space.com, 20 Feb. 2026

The new tower was intended to be built in Sloughhouse, on Kiefer Boulevard north of Highway 16. —Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 20 Feb. 2026

Systemic failures Launched on June 5, 2024, the mission of Boeing’s Starliner capsule, originally intended as a brief eight-day final certification flight, transformed into an odyssey of nine months. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for intend

• amend
• append
• ascend
• attend
• backend
• befriend
• boyfriend
• commend
• compend
• contend
• defend
• depend

Kids Definition

intend

verb

in·​tend in-ˈtend 

: to have in mind as a purpose or aim : plan

intends to travel abroad next year

Legal Definition

intend

transitive verb

in·​tend in-ˈtend 

: to have in one's mind as a purpose or goal

did not intend to kill her