in·ten·tion (?n-t?n?sh?n)n.1. The action or fact of intending: Are computers capable of intention?2. a. An aim that guides action; an objective: My intention is to learn Russian.b. intentions Purpose with respect to marriage: She worried that his intentions were not honorable.3. Medicine The process by which or the manner in which a wound heals.4. Archaic Import; meaning.[Middle English entencioun, from Old French intention, from Latin intenti?, intenti?n-, from intentus, intent, from past participle of intendere, to direct attention; see intend.]Synonyms: intention, intent, purpose, goal, end, aim, object, objective These nouns refer to what one plans to do or achieve. Intention simply signifies a course of action that one proposes to follow: It is my intention to work for a year and then go back to school. Intent more strongly implies deliberateness: The executor complied with the testator’s intent. Purpose stresses the desired result of one’s actions or efforts and often implies a sense of dedication: The organization’s purpose is to build affordable housing. A goal is something rewarding or fulfilling that inspires a sustained endeavor: The college’s goal was to raise sixty million dollars for a new library. End suggests an ultimate or overriding goal: The candidate wanted to win and pursued every means to achieve that end. Aim stresses the direction one’s efforts take in pursuit of something: The aim of the legislation is to spur the development of renewable energy. An object is a specific outcome or result on which one is focused: The object of chess is to checkmate your opponent’s king. An objective is a goal that one is assigned or motivated to achieve: The report outlines the committee’s objectives.American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.intention (?n?t?n??n) n1. a purpose or goal; aim: it is his intention to reform. 2. (Law) law the resolve or design with which a person does or refrains from doing an act, a necessary ingredient of certain offences3. (Medicine) med a natural healing process, as by first intention, in which the edges of a wound cling together with no tissue between, or by second intention, in which the wound edges adhere with granulation tissue4. (usually plural) design or purpose with respect to a proposal of marriage (esp in the phrase honourable intentions)5. an archaic word for meaning, intentnessCollins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014in?ten?tion (?n?t?n ??n) n. 1. an act or instance of determining mentally upon some action or result. 2. the end or object intended; purpose. 3. intentions, a. purpose or attitude toward the effect of one’s actions or conduct: a bungler with good intentions. b. purpose or attitude with respect to marriage: Are his intentions serious? 4. the act or fact of intending. 5. Logic. reference by signs, concepts, etc., to concrete things, their properties, classes, or the relationships among them. 6. meaning or significance. 7. the person or thing meant to benefit from a prayer or religious offering. [1300?50; Middle English When someone intends to do something, you can talk about their intention to do it or their intention of doing it.You can say that it is someone’s intention to do something.Be Careful!Don’t say that ‘it is someone’s intention of doing’ something.You can say that someone does something with the intention of doing something else, when they intend to do the second thing.Be Careful!Don’t say that someone does something ‘with the intention to do’ something else.You can say that someone has no intention of doing something.Be Careful!Don’t say that someone ‘has no intention to do’ something.The meaning of a word, expression, or gesture is the thing or idea that it refers to or represents.The meaning of what someone says is what they intend to express.Don’t use ‘meaning’ to refer to what someone intends to do. Don’t say, for example, ‘His meaning was to leave without paying’. Say ‘His intention was to leave without paying’.Don’t use ‘meaning’ to refer to what someone thinks about something. Don’t say, for example, ‘I think he should go. What’s your meaning?’ You say ‘I think he should go. What’s your opinion?’