intentionin‧ten‧tion /ɪnˈtenʃən/ ●●● S3 W2 noun [countable, uncountable] 
I have no intention of retiring just yet. They went into town with the intention of visiting the library.intention to do something It is our intention to be the number one distributor of health products.good intentions/the best (of) intentions (=intentions to do something good or kind, especially when you do not succeed in doing it) He thinks the minister is full of good intentions that won’t be carried out. ► Do not say that someone ‘has no intention to do something’. Say that someone has no intention of doing something.► see thesaurus at purpose → well-intentioned
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Army leaders could not guess at the enemy's movements or intentions.
- Bouvier returned to Europe with the intention of gathering further support for his cause.
- The government announced its intention to create 50,000 jobs by the end of the year.
- The lawyers had every intention of calling Smythe to the witness stand.
THESAURUS
the reason you do something, and the thing you want to achieve when you do it: · What is the purpose of your visit to England?· The plant is used for medicinal purposes.
what you want to achieve when you do something: · The main aims of the project are as follows.· Their ultimate aim is to find a cure for cancer.
something that you hope to achieve in the future, even though this may take a long time: · It took Mandela over forty years to achieve his goal of a democratic South Africa.· the goal of ending child poverty
something that you are working hard to achieve, especially in business or politics: · The bank achieved its objective of increasing its share of the market.· The government’s long-term objective is to cut CO2 emissions by 50%.
formal the specific purpose of an activity: · The object of the game is to get as many points as possible.· The students will benefit, and that must be the object of the exercise (=the main thing that you are trying to do).
the purpose of doing something and the reason why it is right or necessary: · At fourteen, I couldn’t see the point of going to school.· What’s the point in waiting? (=I don’t think it is useful or necessary)
the purpose that you have in your mind when you do something: · He kept his real intentions well hidden.· Although we made a lot of money, this wasn’t our original intention.
the result that someone is trying to achieve – used especially when you disapprove of what someone is doing: · They are using religion for political ends.· The ends do not justify the means (=you should not use violence, cruelty, dishonest behaviour etc to achieve your aims).
Longman Language Activatorsomething that you intend to do also intent formal · Army leaders could not guess at the enemy's movements or intentions.intention to do something · The government announced its intention to create 50,000 jobs by the end of the year.with the intention of doing something · Bouvier returned to Europe with the intention of gathering further support for his cause.have every intention of doing something (=use this to emphasize that someone intends to do something) · The lawyers had every intention of calling Smythe to the witness stand.
formal what you intend to do: · The intent of the change was to give local officials more power to make decisions.intent to do something: · It is not my intent to deny the value of university education.with intent (=having the intention to do something - used in legal contexts): · He was convicted of possession of cocaine with intent to sell.
to not intend to do something if you do not intend to do something, you have decided that you will not do it: · She had not intended to speak at the meeting, but felt she had to.· I haven't seen the film, and I don't intend to.
especially spoken use this to say that, although you did something, you did not do it deliberately: · They hadn't meant to stay out so late.· Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you.
formal if you have no intention of doing something, you have firmly decided that you will definitely not do it: · Mr Brown announced that he had no intention of resigning.· The deadline is unreasonable, and they have no intention of trying to meet it.
if you have no plans to do something, you have not made a decision to do it, although you may decide to do it at a later time: · She has no plans to retire.· He has lived in Thailand for five years, and does not have any plans to go back to the States.
especially spoken to not really intend to do something that you have said that you will do: · He keeps saying he's going to quit, but I don't think he's serious.not be serious about: · Critics said the government wasn't serious about the environment.you can't be serious spoken (=say this when you are surprised about what someone has said they intend to do): · You can't be serious about moving to New Orleans.
to intend to do something if you intend to do something, you have decided that you want to do it at some time in the future: · I wasn't sure why he'd done it, but I intended to find out.· Most of these students intend to continue their education at university.· Her lawyers stated that they intended to call at least five witnesses.
especially spoken to intend to do something - use this especially when you forget to do something or did not have the chance to do it: · I've been meaning to phone Anne for ages.· I meant to tell you, but I forgot.· Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.
especially spoken if you are going to do something, you have arranged to do it at a particular time - use this to talk about definite arrangements: · Ruth and Al are going to move to Seattle.· I'm going to go to the hospital tomorrow.· The committee is going to have several meetings to get student input.
to intend to do something - use this especially when you have thought carefully about when and how you will do something: · Josie's planning to return to work after she's had the baby.· We're planning to go on vacation in October.· The Board plans to release the report to the press on Sept. 11.
informal to intend to achieve something that you are sure you can achieve: · The company is looking to increase its sales in Europe during the next two years.· The Redskins will be looking to repeat their Super Bowl victory next season.
to decide to do something and make plans for how you will achieve it, especially in a very determined way: · He set out to make Newcastle the best football team in the country.· The new administration set out to develop a better immigration policy.
informal to intend to do something and be determined to succeed: · A young man from Norway is out to be the youngest person ever to finish the race.· Manchester United are out to win the European Cup this year.be out to get somebody (=to intend to do something that harms someone else): · Brock believes that Aaronson is out to ruin his reputation.
formal use this in public statements, news reports, meetings etc in order to tell people what someone intends to do: · It is our intention to become the number one distributor of health products in the UK.· It was never the department's intention to prevent teachers from trying out new ideas.
use this especially in legal contexts about someone who deliberately intends to do something bad: do something with intent to do something: · Kelly was accused of carrying a deadly weapon with intent to endanger life.· He is charged with using a false name with intent to commit fraud.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY I have no intention of retiring just yet. They went into town with the intention of visiting the library. The government has announced plans to create 10,000 new jobs. He declared his intention to stand for president. It is their declared intention to increase taxes. We have every intention of winning this competition.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
I have no intention of retiring just yet. They went into town with the intention of visiting the library. (=intentions to do something good or kind, especially when you do not succeed in doing it) He thinks the minister is full of good intentions that won’t be carried out.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES He thinks the minister is full of good intentions that won’t be carried out. The government has announced plans to create 10,000 new jobs. He declared his intention to stand for president. It is their declared intention to increase taxes. We have every intention of winning this competition.· Only after Coleridge returned from Shrewsbury, freed at last from immediate financial worry, could vague hopes be transformed into clearer intentions.· The clear artistic intention of the show elevated things to another plane.· The three men met, and it soon became clear that their intentions were different.· At Thayer the clear intention is that if something is central to our mission, we will not leave it to chance.· I return to work on the spot with insights into what I am looking at and a clearer sense of intention.· The interview had left him with two clear intentions more firmly fixed than ever in his mind.
· The best intentions and the wisest council are likely to misfire if entrusted to the care of the machinery of state action.· Economists who must put up with taunting at cocktail parties should re-member that the road to good intentions is paved with hell.· We pin up quality ditties on corporate walls to enthuse staff of our good and noble intentions.· He was ousted, tried, pleaded good intentions, and was acquitted.· Many people's good intentions go to pot as Ian Cocking does the work virtually single handed.· I will remind you, with best intention, to cease your negotiations with PetroVietnam.· A belated rush to help is under way, complete with the good intentions and hazards that hasty rescues invariably bring.· Threatening circumstances and challenges compel both performance and change much more effectively than mere opportunities and good intentions.
· At least, that was his original intention.· My original intention was merely to sell the cards quietly for the best possible price.· The original intention was that they should replace the Milnes cars which were worn out.· Whatever the original intentions, aid programs had become an end in themselves.· The original intention was to hive off assembly operations to sub-contractors.· My original intention was that the entire Unit should participate in the debate ... Just a moment.· The report stressed that the original intention of right-to-buy legislation was to enable public sector tenants to purchase the houses they occupied.· The original intention was that Cramlington would be a free-standing newtown with a full range of shopping services.
VERB· Partly as a result of all these changes, the government has announced its intention to equalise the State pension age.· Clinton announced his intention to name Rep.· Clients will announce their intentions to the group, and then report back the following week.· Clippers executive vice president Andy Roeser said the team filed the paperwork Thursday announcing its intentions.· On June 19, Hankiss announced his intention to resign following a recommendation by the parliamentary cultural committee.· When Dave announced these intentions, they met with the usual mixture of confusion, alarm, and skepticism.· Characteristically, however, he announced his intention to carry on as normal.
· It has also declared its intention to help develop new environmental industries.· Clinton will accept the Democratic nomination for a second-term without ever having publicly declared his intention to seek re-election.· She was also mistaken in declaring her intention to fight on immediately the result of the first ballot was known.· The leadership of the Democratic party was anxious for him to declare his intentions about running for the second term.· Kohlberg Kravis Roberts has declared its intention of buying up to 15 percent and is thought to be quietly picking up stock.· Now it surprised him that he was expected to declare the pattern and intention behind it all in order that others could understand.· Now some of his players are saying it's time he came clean and declared his intentions.· Kevin Welch has been appointed skipper because Richard Smith has declared his intention to retire.
· At least 24 groups had expressed their intention to register as political parties.· The prime minister has expressed his intention to quit, but had not done so for fear of weakening the coalition.· Violent and damaging words are used to express feelings, not intentions.· Conference, scheduled for Sofia in 1995, and express their intention to continue their support for this process. 12.· We can not create reasons just by intending to do so and expressing that intention in action.· In tradition, the projective contents of wish fantasies expressing defended-against intentions, have been deposited.· Here, then, the doubts about precatory words are reasonable doubts whether they clearly express an intention on the part of a testator.
· Nu had indicated his intention to retire from office six months after independence, but events made that impossible.· Following the election, Hau indicated his intention to resign as Premier before the Yuan's first session in February 1993.· Trade having been done, they settled to take the meal, to eat, to indicate their good intentions.· The Government has indicated an intention to set up some 20 such colleges in Inner City areas.· The slightest act by the owner indicating an intention will be sufficient.· In our imaginary case, Walkertronic needs no further information and indicates an intention to defend in the following terms.
· The Allies, however, had no intention of letting the armistice arrangements slide by default into a full-blown peace.· Beck had no intention of letting his report gather dust on the legislative shelves.· And I've no intention of letting you get near anything important.· Miyako Immigration was following all the official procedures, but they had every intention of letting Loi ashore.· But he had no intention of letting himself be intimidated.
· In 1968, the Kittyhawk was purchased with the intention of returning it to flying condition.· His wife had announced at the height of the storm her intention to return to Boston.· He had little more than a week, as his intention was to return to Jalo by 10 January.· Built into his trip and giving it its entire purpose was the intention to return.· Having searched this field to the best of my ability I left with the intention to return at the earliest opportunity.· She had no intention of returning to the house in a hurry.
· In order to invoke the rule against prior restraint, the defendant must state on affidavit his intention to justify the allegation.· He refuses to marry her, in spite of the fact that he gave her a legal document stating his intention.· Where the company is seeking general authority to purchase shares in the market they must state their intentions regarding the authority granted.· Although a government may state its intention to reduce taxation, the truth may not always be as declared.
WORD FAMILYadjectiveintended ≠ unintendedintentional ≠ unintentionalintentnounintentintentionverbintendadverbintentionally ≠ unintentionally
a plan or desire to do somethinghave no/every intention of doing something I have no intention of retiring just yet. They went into town with the intention of visiting the library.intention to do something It is our intention to be the number one distributor of health products.good intentions/the best (of) intentions (=intentions to do something good or kind, especially when you do not succeed in doing it) He thinks the minister is full of good intentions that won’t be carried out. ► Do not say that someone ‘has no intention to do something’. Say that someone has no intention of doing something.► see thesaurus at purpose → well-intentioned