intention

noun in·ten·tion \ in-ˈten(t)-shən \

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

Universities typically use several metrics of interest to gauge student intentions, Green says, but there was an X factor this year: an earlier application for financial aid.

— megan schellong, USA TODAY College, "How two public California universities handled a surprising influx of freshmen," 30 Aug. 2017
Attorney Cyrus Mehri, who was instrumental in the NFL's adoption of its minority interviewing rule in the hiring processes for coaches and key front office executives, has announced his intention to challenge Smith for the executive director job.

— mark maske, chicagotribune.com, "New rule could bar challengers to NFLPA head with players' October vote," 27 Aug. 2017
In fact, that is precisely Steinbrenner’s intention.

— jim ayello, Indianapolis Star, "Insider: George Michael Steinbrenner IV the next great IndyCar owner?," 26 Aug. 2017
Many have declared their intention to stockpile their shitpiles for days in advance, then deliver them in bags for the site.

— jack moore, GQ, "San Francisco Dog Owners Are Filling a Park with Poop Ahead of an Alt-Right Rally," 25 Aug. 2017
Unique had no idea that her father’s fellow officers had no intention of letting her celebrate her birthday alone.

— meghan overdeep, Southern Living, "Daughter of Slain Kissimmee Police Sergeant Gets One Emotional Birthday Surprise," 22 Aug. 2017
Though Gernsback’s writing is at times stilted and dry, despite his best intentions, his laser focus on imagining and describing the technologies of tomorrow—sometimes with uncanny accuracy—paved the way for all manner of A-list sci-fi successors.

— ryan p. smith, Smithsonian, "Remembering Sci-Fi Pioneer Hugo Gernsback," 18 Aug. 2017
In a joint statement issued after the half-day meeting, Japan reiterated its intention to expand its defense capabilities as well as its role in the alliance with the U.S.

— nick wadhams, Bloomberg.com, "Tillerson Affirms Korea Military Options After Bannon Scoffs," 17 Aug. 2017
Such a background fits with the DNA's intention to meet its mission through four pillars, Glunz said: economic development, community building and collaboration, perception and promotion and beautification and physical enhancement.

— mike danahey, Elgin Courier-News, "Elgin downtown neighborhood association names new executive director," 16 Aug. 2017

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

intention Synonyms

Synonyms

aim, ambition, aspiration, bourne (also bourn), design, dream, end, idea, ideal, intent, goal, mark, meaning, object, objective, plan, point, pretension, purpose, target, thing

Related Words

grail, holy grail; plot, project, scheme; desire, hope, mind, wish; nirvana; destination, terminus

Near Antonyms

means, method, way

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 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).