intention

[ in-ten-shuhn ]

/ ɪnˈtɛn ʃən /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR intention ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an act or instance of determining mentally upon some action or result.

the end or object intended; purpose.

intentions,

purpose or attitude toward the effect of one's actions or conduct: a bungler with good intentions.
purpose or attitude with respect to marriage: Our friends are beginning to ask what our intentions are.

the act or fact of intending.

Logic.

Also called first intention, primary intention. reference by signs, concepts, etc., to concrete things, their properties, classes, or the relationships among them.
Also called second intention, secondary intention. reference to properties, classes, or the relationships among first intentions.

Surgery, Medicine/Medical. a manner or process of healing, as in the healing of a lesion or fracture without granulation (healing by first intention) or the healing of a wound by granulation after suppuration (healing by second intention).

meaning or significance: The intention of his words was clear.

the person or thing meant to benefit from a prayer or religious offering.

Archaic. intentness.

Nearby words

Origin of intention

1300–50; Middle English intencio(u)n < Latin intentiōn- (stem of intentiō). See intent², -ion

SYNONYMS FOR intention

2. goal. Intention, intent, purpose all refer to a wish that one means to carry out. Intention is the general word: His intention is good. Intent is chiefly legal or literary: attack with intent to kill. Purpose implies having a goal or determination to achieve something: Her strong sense of purpose is reflected in her studies.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR intention ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsin·ten·tion·less, adjectivemis·in·ten·tion, nounpre·in·ten·tion, nounsub·in·ten·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for intention

My intention is to make it with the same approach as Anchorman 2.
Inside Sony’s ‘Pineapple Express 2 Drama’: Leaked Emails Reveal Fight Over Stoner Comedy Sequel|William Boot|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One morning at about eleven, he announces his intention as though it's truly an unusual thought: “Let's have a little drink.”
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“The intention is to create a 21st century auction house,” Gilkes says.
William, Kate, and Jay Z’s Favorite Art Star: Alexander Gilkes' World of Rock Stars and Royalty|Tim Teeman|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Hollywood dilutes material to a level I have no interest in, or intention following,” Wiseman says firmly.
Inside The Secret World of London’s National Gallery|Tim Teeman|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST

One reason for withholding information was the president had no intention of shutting down the initiative.
How the Reagan White House Bungled Its Response to Iran-Contra Revelations|Malcolm Byrne|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But as if divining her intention, the elders gathered in an accusing squad in front of her.
The Secret of the Storm Country|Grace Miller White
She shivered delicately, and announced her intention of going to bed.
The Woman from Outside|Hulbert Footner
But, in speaking of his disposition, I have no intention whatever to give him a character for amiability.
Round-about Rambles in Lands of Fact and Fancy|Frank Richard Stockton
The intention is present of separating (or effecting a separation) from the injured spouse.
Ifugao Law|R. F. Burton
I believe every part of your history about the King's intention about the Mastership of the Horse.
Memoirs of the Court of George IV. 1820-1830 (Vol 1)|Duke of Buckingham and Chandos

British Dictionary definitions for intention

intention

/ (ɪnˈtɛnʃən) /

noun

a purpose or goal; aimit is his intention to reform

law the resolve or design with which a person does or refrains from doing an act, a necessary ingredient of certain offences

med a natural healing process, as by first intention, in which the edges of a wound cling together with no tissue between, or by second intention, in which the wound edges adhere with granulation tissue

(usually plural) design or purpose with respect to a proposal of marriage (esp in the phrase honourable intentions)

an archaic word for meaning, intentness

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for intention

intention

mid-14c., from Old French entencion "stretching, intensity, will, thought" (12c.), from Latin intentionem (nominative intentio) "a stretching out, straining, exertion, effort; attention," noun of action from intendere "to turn one's attention," literally "to stretch out" (see intend).

Medicine definitions for intention

intention

[ ĭn-tĕn′shən ]

n.

An aim that guides action.

The process by which or the manner in which a wound heals.

Related formsin•ten′tion•al adj.

intention

noun

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Origin of intention

Examples from the Web for intention

intention

noun

intention

intention

n.