intelligence

noun

in·​tel·​li·​gence in-ˈte-lə-jən(t)s 

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

• brain(s)
• brainpower
• gray matter
• headpiece
• intellect
• intellectuality
• mentality
• reason
• sense
• smarts

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

Is data like this beyond the grasp of a sophisticated foreign intelligence agency? —Larry Seltzer, SPIN, 25 Apr. 2024

The following month, Trump reportedly shared highly-sensitive intelligence about ISIS with Russian officials visiting the White House. —Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2024

James Rands, a military analyst with Janes, a defense intelligence company in London, said the defenses Ukraine built during earlier conflicts with Russia were exceptional. —Josh Holder, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2024

The business intelligence company, co-founded by Bitcoin-maximalist Michael Saylor, holds 174,530 Bitcoin worth $4.6 billion and is expected to buy more soon. —Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 22 Apr. 2024

Netanyahu has refused to acknowledge his own responsibility for the intelligence and operational failures that led to the incursion and has repeatedly said they will all be investigated only once the war is over. More than 130 hostages, some dead, remain in Gaza. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2024

Matter of fact, the president gets a daily brief of all of the intelligence hot spots around the world. —CBS News, 21 Apr. 2024

The drone attack last year was said to be executed by Israel’s foreign intelligence service, Mossad. —Benjamin Weinthal, Fox News, 20 Apr. 2024

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

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)

Phrases Containing intelligence

• artificial intelligence
• emotional intelligence
• generative artificial intelligence
• insult someone's intelligence
• intelligence quotient
• intelligence test

Kids Definition

intelligence

noun

in·​tel·​li·​gence in-ˈtel-ə-jən(t)s 

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 

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 

adjective

intelligently adverb