intelligence

noun

in·​tel·​li·​gence in-ˈte-lə-jən(t)s How to pronounce intelligence (audio)
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
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
According to contract descriptions, Tangles and related tools can ingest historical communications, mobile forensics, location data, financial records, and web intelligence to assemble profiles of people of interest. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2025 And redesigning the process from an AI-first perspective forces businesses to drop outdated workflows and build new ones that are built for intelligence, agility and trust. Prashant Kondle, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a mutual defense pact, firming up a longstanding security partnership, while Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi, and the United Arab Emirates agreed to boost intelligence sharing and military cooperation. Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 19 Sep. 2025 However, the report noted that the MQ-9B drone—capable of flying over 30 hours for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions—is not designed to be equipped with signal flares or missiles, which may be used during airspace intrusion response. Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for intelligence

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Intelligence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intelligence. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.

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
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 adjective
intelligently adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on intelligence

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