intend

verb

in·​tend in-ˈtend How to pronounce intend (audio)
intended; intending; intends

transitive verb

1
a
: to have in mind as a purpose or goal : plan
b
: to design for a specified use or future
2
a
b
: to refer to
3
: to direct the mind on
4
archaic : to proceed on (a course)
intender noun

Examples of intend in a Sentence

I didn't intend any disrespect. We intended that she come with us.
Recent Examples on the Web Questions addressed in the special include: Who are the medications really intended for? Anna Tingley, Variety, 18 Mar. 2024 Anna Marie said she was told by Exact Sciences that the blood in the vial was intended for a cancer screening and did not contain any diseases. Jody Serrano / Gizmodo, Quartz, 18 Mar. 2024 The voyage is intended to introduce visitors to the site along the waterway enslaved people traveled. Deborah Barfield Berry, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024 The meetings are intended to help other nations promote best civil society practices and defend against political sabotage. Michael Crowley, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2024 Bipartisan talks in the Senate reached a sweeping immigration and border security compromise that was intended to satisfy GOP requests, but House lawmakers rejected it, as did Trump, and the Senate then voted it down last month. Nick Miroff, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024 Since it’s primarily intended for exfoliation, the brand recommends using it on dry hair ahead of washing. Deanna Pai, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2024 The sea route is intended to bring more assistance to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the enclave five months into the war between Israel and Hamas. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 17 Mar. 2024 The group had intended to hold its hearing in public, on campus, but moved everything to Zoom at the direction of the university, which cited safety concerns. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intend.' 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 entenden, intenden, from Anglo-French entendre, from Latin intendere to stretch out, direct, aim at, from in- + tendere to stretch — more at thin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

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

Dictionary Entries Near intend

Cite this Entry

“Intend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intend. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

intend

verb
in·​tend in-ˈtend How to pronounce intend (audio)
: to have in mind as a purpose or aim : plan
intends to travel abroad next year

Legal Definition

intend

transitive verb
in·​tend in-ˈtend How to pronounce intend (audio)
: to have in one's mind as a purpose or goal
did not intend to kill her

More from Merriam-Webster on intend

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