intention
noun
in·ten·tion in-ˈten(t)-shən 
1
a
: what one intends to do or bring about
b
: the object for which a prayer, mass, or pious act is offered
2
: a determination to act in a certain way : resolve
3
intentions plural : purpose with respect to marriage
4
: import, significance
5
: a process or manner of healing of incised wounds
6
: concept
especially : a concept considered as the product of attention directed to an object of knowledge
Synonyms
- aim
- ambition
- aspiration
- bourne
- bourn
- design
- dream
- end
- goal
- idea
- ideal
- intent
- mark
- meaning
- object
- objective
- plan
- point
- pretension
- purpose
- target
- thing
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
She announced her intention to run for governor. He seemed to think that I was trying to cause problems, but that was never my intention. He bought a dog with the intention of training it to attack intruders. He has good intentions, but his suggestions aren't really helpful.
Recent Examples on the Web The financial support that the event promises to offer those impacted by the killings is only half the intention. 
Detroit Free Press, 8 Sep. 2022 An innocent celebration for my mom's milestone 60th birthday has turned into an absurd political statement, which was not the intention. Glenn Garner, Peoplemag, 28 Aug. 2022 An innocent celebration for my mom's milestone 60th birthday has turned into an absurd political statement, which was not the intention. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 28 Aug. 2022 The recent high inflation was the result of a confluence of shocks and wasn’t ever the intention of those new frameworks, said Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari. Nick Timiraos, WSJ, 28 Aug. 2022 To be clear, this was not the intention behind Sky Mavis, Axie Infinity’s creator. Leeor Shimron, Forbes, 13 Aug. 2022 Most likely, because that's partly the intention behind giving the IRS billions in new funding. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2022 That was the intention behind the brand; to create a fashion brand that feels fashion-forward but doesn’t feel exclusive. Lindzi Scharf, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 July 2022 Bloom also reiterated that there is no intention to trade shortstop Xander Bogaerts or third baseman Rafael Devers despite both players having rejected contract extensions in spring training. Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 27 July 2022 See More
Detroit Free Press, 8 Sep. 2022 An innocent celebration for my mom's milestone 60th birthday has turned into an absurd political statement, which was not the intention. Glenn Garner, Peoplemag, 28 Aug. 2022 An innocent celebration for my mom's milestone 60th birthday has turned into an absurd political statement, which was not the intention. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 28 Aug. 2022 The recent high inflation was the result of a confluence of shocks and wasn’t ever the intention of those new frameworks, said Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari. Nick Timiraos, WSJ, 28 Aug. 2022 To be clear, this was not the intention behind Sky Mavis, Axie Infinity’s creator. Leeor Shimron, Forbes, 13 Aug. 2022 Most likely, because that's partly the intention behind giving the IRS billions in new funding. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2022 That was the intention behind the brand; to create a fashion brand that feels fashion-forward but doesn’t feel exclusive. Lindzi Scharf, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 July 2022 Bloom also reiterated that there is no intention to trade shortstop Xander Bogaerts or third baseman Rafael Devers despite both players having rejected contract extensions in spring training. Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 27 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Phrases Containing intention
Kids Definition
intention
noun
in·ten·tion in-ˈten-shən
1
: a determination to act in a particular way
She announced her intention to run for president.
2
: an aim or plan
It's his intention to win.
Medical Definition
intention
noun
in·ten·tion in-ˈten-chən
1
: a determination to act in a certain way
2
: a process or manner of healing of incised wounds see first intention, second intention
Legal Definition
intention
noun
in·ten·tion in-ˈten-chən
: something intended : intent
the intention of the testator
Note: Intent is more commonly used than intention when speaking technically especially about the criminal and tort concepts of intent (senses 1a and 1b).
intentions
noun
1
as in goals
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish her intention is to climb the highest peak in each of the 50 states Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- goals
- plans
- purposes
- intents
- objectives
- ambitions
- aims
- ideas
- dreams
- objects
- things
- aspirations
- ideals
- meanings
- targets
- pretensions
- designs
- hopes
- points
- desires
- wishes
- marks
- projects
- ends
- bournes
- minds
- bourns
- schemes
- plots
- destinations
- holy grails
- grails
- termini
- nirvanas
- terminuses
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- methods
- means
- ways
2
as in senses
the idea that is conveyed or intended to be conveyed to the mind by language, symbol, or action she was uncertain of the intention of his frantic gesturing Synonyms & Similar Words
- senses
- meanings
- intents
- contents
- significances
- imports
- definitions
- connotations
- implications
- themes
- messages
- purports
- significations
- motives
- denotations
- indications
- suggestions
- natures
- drifts
- topics
- clues
- cues
- spirits
- intimations
- stuff
- hints
- inklings
- essences
- hearts
- questions
- souls
- tenors
- subjects
- acceptances
- matters
- burdens
- essentialities
- acceptations
- motifs
- kernels
- gists
- bottoms
- points
- nuclei
- cores
- marrows
- piths
- nubs
- cruxes
- cruces
- quicks
- nucleuses
- parapodia
- parapodial
- parapodium
- parapophyses
- parapophysis
- parapraxes
- parapraxia
- parapraxias
- parapraxis
- paraproct
- paraproctia
- paraproctium
- paraprofessional
- paraprofessionals
- Parapsida
- parapsidal
- parapsidal furrow
- parapsides
- parapsis
- parapsychic
- parapsychical
- parapsychological
- parapsychologies
- parapsychologist
- parapsychologists