intelligence

noun

in·​tel·​li·​gence in-ˈte-lə-jən(t)s How to pronounce intelligence (audio)
Synonyms of intelligencenext
1
a(1)
: the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new or trying situations : reason
also : the skilled use of reason
(2)
: the ability to apply knowledge to manipulate one's environment or to think abstractly as measured by objective criteria (such as tests)
b
: mental acuteness : shrewdness
c
Christian Science : the basic eternal quality of divine Mind
2
a
: information, news
b
: information concerning an enemy or possible enemy or an area
also : an agency engaged in obtaining such information
3
: the act of understanding : comprehension
4
: the ability to perform computer functions
5
a
: intelligent minds or mind
cosmic intelligence
b
: an intelligent entity
especially : angel

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of intelligence in a Sentence

She impressed us with her superior intelligence. a person of average intelligence gathering intelligence about a neighboring country's activities
Recent Examples on the Web The State Department and the intelligence community are assessing the possible damage to national security, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters after Rocha's arrest. —Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2024 Computer scientists, ordinary Americans, and the intelligence and defense communities can only hope our officials rethink their proposal. —Jungsang Kim, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2024 Nevertheless, every few years, Congress is called on to reauthorize Section 702, which mandates that the intelligence agencies obtain generalized FISC approval for massive surveillance programs. —The Editors, National Review, 12 Apr. 2024 The federal law sets out rules and procedures for gathering foreign intelligence through electronic surveillance, physical searches, pen registers and more. —Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2024 The British military intelligence agency said in a statement on Wednesday that the Kremlin was seeking to recruit 400,000 people in 2024 to sustain its forces in Ukraine. —Marc Santora, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024 Military personnel, assisted by many volunteer technical specialists, gained a decisive intelligence advantage for their forces by quickly fielding fleets of hundreds of camera drones connected to simple yet effective battlefield-management systems. —IEEE Spectrum, 10 Apr. 2024 After gathering testimonies from the victims, the House Intelligence Committee has also launched a formal investigation into how U.S. intelligence agencies handled the Havana Syndrome Investigation. —Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2024 The United Kingdom’s defense intelligence agency on Saturday released an unusually negative assessment of Kyiv’s fortunes near the city of Avdiivka, which fell to Russian forces in mid-February. —Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 1 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intelligence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin intelligentia, from intelligent-, intelligens intelligent

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of intelligence was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing intelligence

Dictionary Entries Near intelligence

intellectual virtue

intelligence

intelligenced

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Intelligence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intelligence. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

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Kids Definition

intelligence

noun
in·​tel·​li·​gence in-ˈtel-ə-jən(t)s How to pronounce intelligence (audio)
1
: the ability to learn and understand or to deal with problems : reason
2
a
: news sense 1a
b
: information concerning an enemy or possible enemy
also : an agency engaged in obtaining such information

Medical Definition

intelligence

noun
in·​tel·​li·​gence in-ˈtel-ə-jən(t)s How to pronounce intelligence (audio)
1
a
: the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new or trying situations
b
: the ability to apply knowledge to manipulate one's environment or to think abstractly as measured by objective criteria (as tests)
2
: mental acuteness
intelligent
in-ˈtel-ə-jənt How to pronounce intelligence (audio)
adjective
intelligently adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on intelligence

Nglish: Translation of intelligence for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of intelligence for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about intelligence

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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