intention

noun

in·​ten·​tion in-ˈten(t)-shən How to pronounce intention (audio)
1
a
: what one intends to do or bring about
b
: the object for which a prayer, mass, or pious act is offered
2
: a determination to act in a certain way : resolve
3
intentions plural : purpose with respect to marriage
4
5
: a process or manner of healing of incised wounds
6
: concept
especially : a concept considered as the product of attention directed to an object of knowledge
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web In 2021, the VTA filed a lawsuit that sketched out the transit agency’s intention to grab the site through an eminent domain process. George Avalos, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024 Taylor had not had any intention of going to the inauguration, but like Johnson, Taylor was a native son of Texas, and his politically active family were early supporters of Johnson. Nikole Hannah-Jones, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 But Nippon Steel’s intention to do the same has stirred presidential unease largely because of domestic political factors. Jeff Stein, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024 Brown has owned the houses since 2019 with the intention of turning them into the permanent location of Hopewell Animal Hospital. The Courier-Journal, 13 Mar. 2024 More than two months later, the city announced its intention to award the sale to M.R. Tanner, which has mining operations off El Mirage Road, just south of Glendale Avenue. Shawn Raymundo, The Arizona Republic, 13 Mar. 2024 So the intention is really just make people laugh, to blow people's minds, to push the expectations of a drag show and come to a solo show. Nigel Smith, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024 The solar revolution on farms is happening with the best of intentions and is using a technology widely seen as environmentally beneficial. Fred Pearce, WIRED, 9 Mar. 2024 Rarely in American history have two major parties had such wildly different intentions—and such similar levels of support. Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intention.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of intention was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near intention

Cite this Entry

“Intention.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intention. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

intention

noun
in·​ten·​tion in-ˈten-chən How to pronounce intention (audio)
1
: a determination to act in a certain way
2
: an intended goal : aim
3
: a person or purpose that is especially prayed for
4

Medical Definition

intention

noun
in·​ten·​tion in-ˈten-chən How to pronounce intention (audio)
1
: a determination to act in a certain way
2
: a process or manner of healing of incised wounds see first intention, second intention

Legal Definition

intention

noun
in·​ten·​tion in-ˈten-chən How to pronounce intention (audio)
: 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).

More from Merriam-Webster on intention

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