intellectual disability
noun
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
Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 1 Apr. 2025
Here's a closer look at the eight winners, who represent a range of disabilities, including speech and hearing impairments, intellectual disabilities and low vision.
—Charu Bahri, NPR, 15 Mar. 2025
While autism isn’t an intellectual disability — though some people have both — Taylor argued that the disabilities share similarities, especially in regards to prior court findings over the elimination of the death penalty.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 5 Mar. 2025
Trump has blamed diversity initiatives at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for weakening safety, citing efforts by the agency to hire individuals with disabilities, including dwarfism, missing limbs and intellectual disabilities.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intellectual disability
Cite this Entry
“Intellectual disability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intellectual%20disability. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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intellectual disability
nounNote: 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.
Victor R. Martinez
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