intend

verb

in·​tend in-ˈtend How to pronounce intend (audio)
intended; intending; intends

transitive verb

1
a
: to have in mind as a purpose or goal : plan
b
: to design for a specified use or future
2
a
b
: to refer to
3
: to direct the mind on
4
archaic : to proceed on (a course)
intender noun

Examples of intend in a Sentence

I didn't intend any disrespect. We intended that she come with us.
Recent Examples on the Web The group had intended to hold its hearing in public, on campus, but moved everything to Zoom at the direction of the university, which cited safety concerns. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2024 The book intends to teach children, and encourage conversation, about the normalcy of menstruation, as well as the changes that come with growing up in general,. Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024 Questions addressed in the special include: Who are the medications really intended for? Zack Sharf, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024 The legislation specifically targets landfill projects near Kansas City and would apply only to proposals intended to serve cities with populations more than 400,000 people. Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2024 The startup intends to introduce the elephant-mammoth hybrids into the wild to re-create the role once played by the mammoth in the Arctic ecosystem, grazing the land and trampling snow cover, potentially decelerating the melting of permafrost. Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 6 Mar. 2024 Berenyi and Vinson intended to defraud Nucor out of more than $2.3 million, or roughly 15% of Berenyi’s expected gross billings from the project. Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 6 Mar. 2024 The menu for the restaurant, which serves lunch and dinner, highlights steaks intended to be shared by the table, along with a variety of Asian side dishes. Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024 The states intend to submit their ideas or commitments for that process this month, and the Interior Department will review them and then fashion a long-term plan through this year and next. Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 5 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intend.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English entenden, intenden, from Anglo-French entendre, from Latin intendere to stretch out, direct, aim at, from in- + tendere to stretch — more at thin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of intend was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near intend

Cite this Entry

“Intend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intend. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

intend

verb
in·​tend in-ˈtend How to pronounce intend (audio)
: to have in mind as a purpose or aim : plan
intends to travel abroad next year

Legal Definition

intend

transitive verb
in·​tend in-ˈtend How to pronounce intend (audio)
: to have in one's mind as a purpose or goal
did not intend to kill her

More from Merriam-Webster on intend

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