intensity Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the amount of energy transmitted (as by acoustic or electromagnetic radiation)
    strength; intensity level.
    • he adjusted the intensity of the sound
    • they measured the station's signal strength
  2. noun high level or degree; the property of being intense
    intensiveness.
  3. noun the magnitude of sound (usually in a specified direction)
    volume; loudness.
    • the kids played their music at full volume
  4. noun chromatic purity: freedom from dilution with white and hence vivid in hue
    vividness; saturation; chroma.

WordNet

In*ten"si*ty noun
Etymology
LL. intensitas: cf. F. intensité. See Intense.
Definitions
  1. The state or quality of being intense; intenseness; extreme degree; as, intensity of heat, cold, mental application, passion, etc.
    If you would deepen the intensity of light, you must be content to bring into deeper blackness and more distinct and definite outline the shade that accompanies it. F. W. Robertson.
  2. (Physics) The amount or degree of energy with which a force operates or a cause acts; effectiveness, as estimated by results produced.
  3. (Mech.) The magnitude of a distributed force, as pressure, stress, weight, etc., per unit of surface, or of volume, as the case may be; as, the measure of the intensity of a total stress of forty pounds which is distributed uniformly over a surface of four square inches area is ten pounds per square inch.
  4. (Photog.) The degree or depth of shade in a picture.

Webster 1913