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
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
This includes the claim, boosted by Musk, that USAID was funding the development of bioweapons such as Covid-19, a conspiracy theory that all US intelligence agencies have concluded is false.
—
David Gilbert, WIRED, 5 Feb. 2025
The Senate Intelligence Committee voted to advance the nomination of former Representative Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick for director of national intelligence, to the full Senate, on Tuesday.
—Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
Forthcoming votes for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s respective nominees to serve as health and human services secretary and the director of national intelligence, are expected to be similarly partisan.
—Ashley Oliver, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Feb. 2025
Nathan Howard/Reuters The Senate Intelligence Committee voted to advance former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard's nomination for director of national intelligence in a closed-door session on Tuesday afternoon.
—Beatrice Peterson, ABC News, 4 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for intelligence 
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David Gilbert, WIRED, 5 Feb. 2025
The Senate Intelligence Committee voted to advance the nomination of former Representative Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick for director of national intelligence, to the full Senate, on Tuesday.
—Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
Forthcoming votes for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s respective nominees to serve as health and human services secretary and the director of national intelligence, are expected to be similarly partisan.
—Ashley Oliver, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Feb. 2025
Nathan Howard/Reuters The Senate Intelligence Committee voted to advance former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard's nomination for director of national intelligence in a closed-door session on Tuesday afternoon.
—Beatrice Peterson, ABC News, 4 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for intelligence
Dictionary Entries Near intelligence
Cite this Entry
“Intelligence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intelligence. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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
intelligently
adverb
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