intellect
noun
in·tel·lect
ˈin-tə-ˌlekt 
1
a
: the power of knowing as distinguished from the power to feel and to will : the capacity for knowledge
b
: the capacity for rational or intelligent thought especially when highly developed
2
: a person with great intellectual powers
Examples of intellect in a Sentence
She is a woman of superior intellect.
She has a sharp intellect.
We were required to read a book every week in order to develop our intellects.
music that appeals to the intellect while still satisfying the emotions
Recent Examples on the Web
Franklin’s Pragmatic Idealism: Impact Over Ideology Franklin’s brilliance was not only in his intellect but in his ability to turn ideas into real-world solutions.
—
Michael Sheldrick, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
Reeder’s a smallish winger (5-foot-10, 170 pounds) who relies on his on-ice intellect to navigate the ice, play off his linemates, find pockets of space and distribute.
—Scott Wheeler, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
The most useful attributes include honesty, empathy, a sense of humor, a sharp intellect, the ability to learn quickly and the skill to determine what is important quickly.
—Evelyn Farkas, The Conversation, 11 Jan. 2025
The company’s new guidelines prohibit insults about someone’s intellect or mental illness on Facebook, Instagram and Threads, as have previous iterations.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for intellect 
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Michael Sheldrick, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
Reeder’s a smallish winger (5-foot-10, 170 pounds) who relies on his on-ice intellect to navigate the ice, play off his linemates, find pockets of space and distribute.
—Scott Wheeler, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
The most useful attributes include honesty, empathy, a sense of humor, a sharp intellect, the ability to learn quickly and the skill to determine what is important quickly.
—Evelyn Farkas, The Conversation, 11 Jan. 2025
The company’s new guidelines prohibit insults about someone’s intellect or mental illness on Facebook, Instagram and Threads, as have previous iterations.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for intellect
Dictionary Entries Near intellect
Cite this Entry
“Intellect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intellect. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
intellect
noun
in·tel·lect
ˈint-ᵊl-ˌekt
1
a
: the power of knowing
b
: the capacity for thought especially when highly developed
2
: a person of notable intellect
Medical Definition
intellect
noun
in·tel·lect
ˈint-ᵊl-ˌekt
1
: the power of knowing as distinguished from the power to feel and to will : the capacity for knowledge
2
: the capacity for rational or intelligent thought
intellectually
adverb
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