intensity

noun

in·​ten·​si·​ty in-ˈten(t)-sə-tē 

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 sense 4a

Synonyms of intensity

• enthusiasm
• emotion
• intenseness
• warmth
• passionateness
• passion
• violence

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 on the Web

The Sun in your sign opposes Pluto in your 7th House of Partnership, bringing intensity to agreements, attraction, conflict, and the way others respond to your confidence. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 July 2026

Artificial landscape exacerbates fires Stefan Doerr, a professor of wildland fire science at Swansea University, said climate change and poor landscape management are contributing to the increasing intensity of the fires. — Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 27 July 2026

The horse race between Amazon’s and Microsoft’s cloud computing businesses has gone through various phases over its nearly two-decade history, with the current AI boom pushing the rivalry to a new, and perhaps unsustainable, level of intensity. — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 27 July 2026

Welbeck was tasked with leading their press, as Hurzeler wanted to trap opponents out wide and needed the intensity to be set by his striker, who had to stop the opposition centre-backs passing to one another. — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 27 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing intensity

• high-intensity interval training
• hyper-intensity

Rhymes for intensity

• immensity
• propensity
• density

Kids Definition

intensity

noun

in·​ten·​si·​ty in-ˈten(t)-sət-ē 

plural intensities

1

: the quality or state of being intense

especially : extreme strength, force, or feeling

2

: the degree or amount of a quality or condition

the intensity of an electric field

Medical Definition

intensity

noun

in·​ten·​si·​ty in-ˈten(t)-sət-ē 

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 sense 4a