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 Ella worked as a special education teacher to stay close to Eva’s oldest sister, Liza, who was born with an intellectual disability, while Enrique was a mechanical engineer at the Corpus Christi Army Depot, who taught her how to hunt and fish from a young age. Selena Barrientos, Peoplemag, 10 June 2024 The issue is personal for the assemblywoman, whose 9-year-old daughter is nonverbal and has an intellectual disability. Lindsey Holden, Sacramento Bee, 6 June 2024 Best travel insurance Surfing is a great form of exercise in a natural environment and has been proven to help build confidence, resilience, and social skills in children with intellectual disabilities. Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 26 May 2024 About 1 child out of every 1,000 who get measles will develop encephalitis — swelling of the brain — that can lead to convulsions and can leave the child deaf or with intellectual disability. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for intellectual disability 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intellectual disability.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near intellectual disability

Cite this Entry

“Intellectual disability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intellectual%20disability. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.

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
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