intellectual disability

noun

: mild to severe impairment in intellectual ability equivalent to an IQ of 70 to 75 or below that is accompanied by significant limitations in social, practical, and conceptual skills (as in interpersonal communication, reasoning, or self-care) necessary for independent daily functioning and that has an onset before age 18

Note: The term intellectual disability is now preferred over mental retardation in medical, educational, and regulatory contexts, as well as in general use. The term mental retardation is increasingly considered offensive, though it was the dominant term into the second decade of the current century.

Examples of intellectual disability in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The event raises money and awareness for Special Olympics Kansas, which supports more than 5,500 athletes with intellectual disabilities. Debra Skodack, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2025 About 1% of all children with intellectual disabilities have a mutation of the gene. Evan Bush, NBC News, 18 Feb. 2025 This year marks the 25th anniversary of the gallery, run by St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, which serves folks with intellectual disabilities. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025 Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images No, the Federal Aviation Administration did not recruit people with intellectual disabilities to work as air traffic controllers. Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 30 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for intellectual disability

Word History

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of intellectual disability was in 1809

Browse Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

“Intellectual disability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intellectual%20disability. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

intellectual disability

noun
: mild to severe impairment in intellectual ability accompanied by significant limitations in skills (as in communication, reasoning, or self-care) necessary for independent daily functioning

Medical Definition

intellectual disability

noun
: mild to severe impairment in intellectual ability equivalent to an IQ of 70 to 75 or below that is accompanied by significant limitations in social, practical, and conceptual skills (as in interpersonal communication, reasoning, or self-care) necessary for independent daily functioning and that has an onset before age 18

Note: The term intellectual disability is now preferred over mental retardation in medical, educational, and regulatory contexts, as well as in general use. The term mental retardation is increasingly considered offensive, though it was the dominant term into the second decade of the current century.

… Rosa's Law, which changed references in federal law from "mental retardation" to "intellectual disability" and references to a mentally retarded individual to an individual with an intellectual disability.Victor R. Martinez
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!