Definition of "intention" in English

noun

1. A course of action that a person intends to follow.

   • My intention was to marry a wealthy widow.
   • It’s easy to promise anything when you have no intention of fulfilling any of it.
   • a. 1784, attributed to Samuel Johnson Hell is paved with good intentions.

2. The goal or purpose.

   • The intention of this legislation is to boost the economy.

3. (obsolete) Tension; straining, stretching.

   • cold in those inner parts, cold belly, and hot liver, causeth crudity, and intention proceeds from perturbations […].

4. (obsolete) A stretching or bending of the mind toward an object or a purpose (an intent); closeness of application; fixedness of attention; earnestness.

5. (obsolete) The object toward which the thoughts are directed; end; aim.

   • In a Word, the most part of chronical Distempers proceed from Laxity of Fibres; in which Case the principal Intention is to restore the Tone of the solid Parts; […].

6. (obsolete) Any mental apprehension of an object.

7. (medicine) The process of the healing of a wound.

verb

1. To intend.