intention

noun

in·​ten·​tion in-ˈten(t)-shən 

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

: import, significance

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

Synonyms

• purpose
• intent
• goal
• plan
• aim
• idea
• objective
• object
• thing
• ambition

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

According to a 2021 study in the Brazilian journal of Revista Latino-americana de Enfermagem, suicide ideation is significantly more common in younger adults than suicide intention. —Eric Wood, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

Asked about his thinking and intentions in regards to conflict of interest disclosures by administrative law judges, Martin, the bill sponsor, responded via text with a question. —Mario Ariza, ProPublica, 15 Sep. 2025

But that release was delayed for two months, as officials, in public and before judges in Maryland and Tennessee, offered shifting explanations as to the government’s intentions with the indictment. —Cristian Farias, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025

When an amateur true crime investigator arrives with the intention of tracking down the town's serial killer, the unlikely pair strike a truce to avoid being caught – and might just find a love story in their own madness. —Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing intention

• have every intention of
• have no intention of

Rhymes for intention

• abstention
• dissention
• distention
• subvention
• circumvention
• contravention
• inattention
• intervention
• nonintervention

Kids Definition

intention

noun

in·​ten·​tion in-ˈten-chən 

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

: meaning entry 1 sense 3, significance

Medical Definition

intention

noun

in·​ten·​tion in-ˈten-chən 

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 

: 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).