: useful information concerning a subject of interest (such as an enemy) : intelligence
Fresh and accurate intel would result in successful operations.—Darryl Young
The airlines crave intel on your food allergies, your tolerance for G-forces and your propensity for air rage.—McKenzie Funk
—often used before another noun
intel data
an intel briefing

Examples of intel 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.
Opened in 2021 in advance of the lodge’s reopening, all almost instantly became lively local hangouts where neighbors stop in for a quick drink and the latest intel on nearby happenings or gather for an evening of lively discussion. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026 Per official intel from McCartney’s fashion house, American Humane Society was on set to monitor all the animal action, and no horses were harmed in the process. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026 However, dropping a world premiere sans any intel turned out to be a gong that rang around the world. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2026 The Kremlin has previously denied reports that Russia was sharing intel with Iran, while China has denied reports that the country's top semiconductor firm has sent chipmaking tools to Iran. — Frank Andrews, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for intel

Word History

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of intel was in 1961

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Intel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intel. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster