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.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The house had a living space in the basement intended for Fawcett’s daughter, Abby, who has an intellectual disability, to live in as an adult. 
oregonlive, 7 Aug. 2022 Dharmalingam's case drew international attention -- including from the United Nations, Malaysia's Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and British billionaire Richard Branson -- who decried the court's proceeding despite his intellectual disability. Rhea Mogul And Helen Regan, CNN, 27 Apr. 2022 Several of the Oklahoma prisoners scheduled for execution have strong innocence claims, histories of intellectual disability that should disqualify them for the death penalty or whose cases have claims of racial bias, their lawyers say. Kim Bellware, Washington Post, 2 July 2022 Organizers said the athlete has an intellectual disability. Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 13 June 2022 The sixth has an intellectual disability, per the report. Lawrence Richard, Fox News, 8 June 2022 His lawyer during post-conviction relief also did not develop evidence of intellectual disability, which could have changed his sentence. Joseph Darius Jaafari, The Arizona Republic, 23 May 2022 The disorder can result in an intellectual disability and physical abnormalities such as extra fingers and toes or a cleft lip. Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 3 June 2022 This can lead to skeletal problems, deformities of the bones and joints, and intellectual disability. Johanna Deeksha, Quartz, 21 Jan. 2022 See More
oregonlive, 7 Aug. 2022 Dharmalingam's case drew international attention -- including from the United Nations, Malaysia's Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and British billionaire Richard Branson -- who decried the court's proceeding despite his intellectual disability. Rhea Mogul And Helen Regan, CNN, 27 Apr. 2022 Several of the Oklahoma prisoners scheduled for execution have strong innocence claims, histories of intellectual disability that should disqualify them for the death penalty or whose cases have claims of racial bias, their lawyers say. Kim Bellware, Washington Post, 2 July 2022 Organizers said the athlete has an intellectual disability. Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 13 June 2022 The sixth has an intellectual disability, per the report. Lawrence Richard, Fox News, 8 June 2022 His lawyer during post-conviction relief also did not develop evidence of intellectual disability, which could have changed his sentence. Joseph Darius Jaafari, The Arizona Republic, 23 May 2022 The disorder can result in an intellectual disability and physical abnormalities such as extra fingers and toes or a cleft lip. Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 3 June 2022 This can lead to skeletal problems, deformities of the bones and joints, and intellectual disability. Johanna Deeksha, Quartz, 21 Jan. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1809, in the meaning defined above
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
Victor R. Martinez