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

The eight-day extravaganza is held every four years for athletes with intellectual disabilities. —Sam Allard, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025

It's also thought to include programs for immigrants trying to learn Swedish and vocational training for people with intellectual disabilities. —Becca Longmire, People.com, 5 Feb. 2025

The group’s services include helping people with intellectual disabilities live on their own and giving essential transportation to elderly people, like an 86-year-old woman who needs dialysis. —Lindsay Whitehurst, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025

The Fox report suggested people with intellectual disabilities and significant mental health illnesses were being recruited for key safety positions. —Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 30 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined above

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