intensity

play

noun in·ten·si·ty \ in-ˈten(t)-sə-tē \

Definition of intensity

plural intensities

1 :the quality or state of being intense; especially :extreme degree of strength, force, energy, or feeling

2 :the magnitude of a quantity (such as force or energy) per unit (as of area, charge, mass, or time)

3 :saturation 4a

See intensity defined for English-language learners

See intensity defined for kids

Examples of intensity in a Sentence

the intensity of the sun's rays
the intensity of the argument
The sun shone with great intensity.

Recent Examples of intensity from the Web

But the dynamic in Charlottesville showed an intensity of bigotry rarely seen out in the open.

— Washington Post, "Fear, resolve and more security at Charlottesville’s temple," 19 Aug. 2017
Your superpower is your fierce intensity and ability to go where others fear to tread.

— bess matassa, Teen Vogue, "Total Solar Eclipse Horoscope," 19 Aug. 2017
The experimental post-punk outfit serves up big, mean guitars, screamed vocals, and old-fashioned intensity.

— brittany martin, Los Angeles Magazine, "The 10 Bands You Don’t Want to Miss at Echo Park Rising This Year," 11 Aug. 2017
But if anything, Winston has only increased his intensity and determination.

— michael osipoff, Post-Tribune, "Countdown to Football: Fred Winston a dual threat as Griffith's quarterback," 10 Aug. 2017
Another reason for the increase in women killed or injured in attacks has been the growing intensity of urban assaults.

— mujib mashal and taimoor shah, New York Times, "Afghanistan More Deadly for Women and Children, U.N. Says," 17 July 2017
Intensity certainly isn't lacking on Alabama's sideline on Saturday afternoons.

— michael casagrande, AL.com, "How Nick Saban plans to manage potentially game-changing rule shift," 14 July 2017
Your intensity often reminds me of Matisse paintings.

— douglas brenner, House Beautiful, "This Quirky Adirondacks Lake House Is the Opposite of "Roughing It"," 13 July 2017
Every object on BepiColombo will have protective shielding, but the solar intensity will mean that even its solar panels cannot directly face the sun.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "How a Probe Will Chase Down Mercury Over 7 Years," 5 July 2017

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

First Known Use of intensity

1665

intensity Synonyms

Other Color Terms

argentine, cerise, cerulean, cyan, ocher, perse, puce, taupe, vermilion

INTENSITY Defined for English Language Learners

intensity

play

noun

Definition of intensity for English Language Learners

: the quality or state of being intense : extreme strength or force
: the degree or amount of strength or force that something has

INTENSITY Defined for Kids

intensity

play

noun in·ten·si·ty \ in-ˈten-sə-tē \

Definition of intensity for Students

plural intensities

1 :strength or force

the sun's intensity

2 :the degree or amount of a quality or condition

This storm is of a lower intensity.

Medical Dictionary

intensity

play

noun in·ten·si·ty \ in-ˈten(t)-sət-ē \

medical Definition of intensity

plural intensities

1 :the quality or state of being intense; especially :extreme degree of strength, force, energy, or feeling

2 :the magnitude of a quantity (as force or energy) per unit (as of surface, charge, mass, or time)

3 :saturation 4a

Learn More about intensity

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for intensity Spanish Central: Translation of intensity Nglish: Translation of intensity for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of intensity for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about intensity

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up intensity? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

intensity

Definition of intensity

From the M-W Editors

Examples of intensity in a Sentence

Recent Examples of intensity from the Web

First Known Use of intensity

intensity Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Other Color Terms

INTENSITY Defined for English Language Learners

intensity

Definition of intensity for English Language Learners

INTENSITY Defined for Kids

intensity

Definition of intensity for Students

Medical Dictionary

intensity

medical Definition of intensity

Learn More about intensity

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

Trending: Ivanka: "An 'Otherwise' Incredible Day"

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes

Words of the Year: 1066