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intelligence definition

in·tel·li·gence (in tel′ə jəns)

noun

    1. the ability to learn or understand from experience; ability to acquire and retain knowledge; mental ability
    2. the ability to respond quickly and successfully to a new situation; use of the faculty of reason in solving problems, directing conduct, etc. effectively
    3. Psychol. measured success in using these abilities to perform certain tasks
    4. generally, any degree of keenness of mind, cleverness, shrewdness, etc.
  2. news or information
    1. the gathering of secret information, as for military or police purposes
    2. the persons or agency employed at this
  4. an intelligent spirit or being

Etymology: OFr < L intelligentia, perception, discernment < intelligens, prp. of intelligere: see intellect

Related Forms:

  • intelligential in·tel′·li·gen′·tial (-jen′s̸həl) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

hacker Intelligence definition - hacker

medical intelligence definition - medical

intelligence Synonyms

intelligence

n.

  1. Understanding

    perspicacity, discernment, comprehension; see acumen, judgment 1.

  2. Ability

    capacity, skill, aptitude; see ability 1, 2.

  3. Secret information

    report, news, statistics, facts, inside information, account, knowledge, info*, the dope*, the lowdown*; see also data, knowledge 1, news 1, secret.

  4. The mind

    intellect, brain, mentality; see mind 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

intelligence Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • electorate: The Natural Law Party will base its campaign on knowledge, and place its confidence in the intelligence of the British electorate.

Converse of object

  • gather: However, they had been useful in gathering intelligence for the Allies.

Adjective modifier

  • artificial: SCULLY: Mulder, that level of artificial intelligence is decades away from being realized.

Modifies a noun

  • gathering: They also visited 28 offenders in prison for intelligence gathering purposes.

Noun used with modifier

  • swarm: I also have a growing interest in swarm intelligence and homeostatic systems.
intelligence usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

intelligence quotes

Ihappentofeel thatthe degree of a person's intelligence is directly reflected by the number of conflicting attitudes she can bring to bear on the same topic.

-Alther, Lisa ne¤  e Reed

The quality of strength lined with tenderness is an unbeatable combination, as are intelligence and necessity when unblunted by formal education.

-Angelou, Maya originally MayaJohnson

Book learning, or intelligence of one sort, doesn't guarantee you intelligence of another sort.You can behave just as stupidly with a good college education.

-Byrne, David

intelligence quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"intelligence." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/intelligence>

APA Style

intelligence. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/intelligence

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