intellectual disability

American  

[in-tl-ek-choo-uhl dis-uh-bil-i-tee] / ˌɪn tlˈɛk tʃu əl ˌdɪs əˈbɪl ɪ ti /

noun

1. a developmental disorder characterized in varying degrees by significant limitations on intellectual abilities, such as learning, problem solving, and reasoning, and on adaptive abilities such as social and practical skills: the diagnostic term intellectual disability replaced the older designation mental retardation in the 2010s. ID

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Etymology

Origin of intellectual disability

First recorded in 1805–10

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

intellectual disability

As a result, they account for only a small proportion of autism and intellectual disability cases across the population.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 23, 2026

Grealish has also extended his role as principal ambassador of Special Olympics Great Britain - an organisation that provides sports training and competition for children and adults with an intellectual disability.

From BBC ● Apr. 29, 2026

That is why the relevant clinical authorities all agree that an individual with an IQ score above 70 may properly be diagnosed with intellectual disability if significant limitations in adaptive functioning also exist.”

From Slate ● Dec. 8, 2025

Clinicians might also be less frequently assigning other labels such as intellectual disability, formally referred to as mental retardation, some data suggest.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2025

He began showing signs of intellectual disability at an early age.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

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Related Words

• cognitive impairment
• debilitation
• impairment
• incapacitation
• limitation
• restriction

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