intention

noun in·ten·tion \ in-ˈten(t)-shən \

Updated on: 26 May 2018

Definition of intention

1 : a determination to act in a certain way : resolve

2 : import, significance

3 a : what one intends to do or bring about

b : the object for which a prayer, mass, or pious act is offered

4 : a process or manner of healing of incised wounds

5 : concept; especially : a concept considered as the product of attention directed to an object of knowledge

6 intentions plural : purpose with respect to marriage

See intention defined for English-language learners

See intention defined for kids

Examples of intention in a Sentence

She announced her intention to run for governor.
He seemed to think that I was trying to cause problems, but that was never my intention.
He bought a dog with the intention of training it to attack intruders.
He has good intentions, but his suggestions aren't really helpful.

Recent Examples of intention from the Web

The problem was dire indeed: People were using Facebook Live, a video-streaming service that had just launched, to announce their intention to kill themselves, and even to stream themselves doing it.

— michal lev-ram, Fortune, "Facebook's Fix-It Team," 22 May 2018
Glencoe Junior Kindergarten Executive Director Debra Gaetano has announced her intention to leave her position at the preschool after 13 years.

— daniel i. dorfman, chicagotribune.com, "Executive director of Glencoe Junior Kindergarten steps down," 21 May 2018
The Saudi government first announced its intention to lift the driving ban in September, removing a rule that had become a symbol of female oppression.

— margherita stancati, WSJ, "Saudi Arabia Arrests Activists Who Campaigned for Women’s Right to Drive," 19 May 2018
When Waterbury announced its intention to sue manufacturers last August, few such cases existed.

— nicholas rondinone, Courant Community, "Town Of Enfield Plans To Sue Opioid Manufacturers," 8 May 2018
Meanwhile, Germany and France announced their intention to honor the agreement, no matter what Trump decides.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump to Announce Decision on Iran Deal Tuesday," 7 May 2018
From hundreds of miles away, the people in the caravan very publicly announced their intention to travel to the U.S. border and apply for asylum through the lengthy legal process.

— michael smolens, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Trump White House invades border region," 6 May 2018
Witten had every intention of returning, until he was offered the job at ESPN.

— clarence e. hill jr., star-telegram, "Jason Witten is calling it a career, has informed the Cowboys of his plans to retire | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 3 May 2018
Ollie announced his intention to contest the decision that day.

— dom amore, courant.com, "Kevin Ollie's Dispute With UConn Now In Hands Of Susan Herbst," 3 May 2018

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

First Known Use of intention

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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intention Synonyms

Synonyms

content, denotation, drift, import, intent, meaning, purport, sense, significance, signification;

Related Words

connotation;

clue, cue, hint, implication, indication, inkling, intimation, suggestion;

message, tenor, theme;

bottom, essence, essentiality, nature, soul, spirit, stuff;

acceptance, acceptation, definition;

burden, crux, gist;

core, heart, kernel, marrow, nub, nucleus, pith, point, quick;

Synonym Discussion of intention

intention, intent, purpose, design, aim, end, object, objective, goal mean what one intends to accomplish or attain. intention implies little more than what one has in mind to do or bring about.

- announced his intention to marry

intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

- the clear intent of the statute

purpose suggests a more settled determination.

- being successful was her purpose in life

design implies a more carefully calculated plan.

- the order of events came by accident, not design

aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.

- her aim was to raise film to an art form

end stresses the intended effect of action often in distinction or contrast to the action or means as such.

- willing to use any means to achieve his end

object may equal end but more often applies to a more individually determined wish or need.

- his constant object was the achievement of pleasure

objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable.

- their objective is to seize the oil fields

goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

- worked years to reach her goals

INTENTION Defined for English Language Learners

intention

noun

Definition of intention for English Language Learners

: the thing that you plan to do or achieve : an aim or purpose

INTENTION Defined for Kids

intention

noun in·ten·tion \ in-ˈten-shən \

Definition of intention for Students

1 : a determination to act in a particular way

She announced her intention to run for president.

2 : an aim or plan

It's his intention to win.

Medical Dictionary

intention

noun in·ten·tion \ in-ˈten-chən \

medical Definition of intention

1 : a determination to act in a certain way

2 : a process or manner of healing of incised wounds — see first intention, second intention

Law Dictionary

intention

noun in·ten·tion \ in-ˈten-chən \

legal Definition of intention

: something intended : intent

the intention of the testator

Note: Intent is more commonly used than intention when speaking technically especially about the criminal and tort concepts of intent (senses 1a and 1b).