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
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
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
The production may have noble intentions in depicting domestic abuse in unflinching terms, but Wax seems to have nothing to say about it other than that what is brutal is indeed brutal.
—
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 June 2025
As a music vet who has been in the industry for over 30 years, this is the start of a new chapter, one that is full of intention and learning, even in his wiser years.
—Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 13 June 2025
That has fueled suspicions that Iran isn’t being fully transparent about its intentions.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 13 June 2025
Waymo disputes this, saying that the vehicles were present at the scene of the protests, not summoned with the intention of being set on fire.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for intention
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 June 2025
As a music vet who has been in the industry for over 30 years, this is the start of a new chapter, one that is full of intention and learning, even in his wiser years.
—Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 13 June 2025
That has fueled suspicions that Iran isn’t being fully transparent about its intentions.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 13 June 2025
Waymo disputes this, saying that the vehicles were present at the scene of the protests, not summoned with the intention of being set on fire.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for intention
Cite this Entry
“Intention.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intention. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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).
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