transitive verb meant (ment), meaning mean′·ing

1. to have in mind; intend; purpose he means to go
2. 1. to intend or design for a certain person or purpose a gift meant for you
   2. to destine or seem to destine he was meant to be a doctor
3. to intend to express, signify, or indicate to say what one means
4. 1. to be used to convey; denote the German word “ja” means “yes”
   2. to be a sign, indication, or herald of; signify this means war!

Etymology: ME menen < OE mænan, to mean, tell, complain, akin to Ger meinen, to have in mind, have as opinion < IE base *meino-, opinion, intent > OIr mian, wish, desire

intransitive verb

1. to have a purpose or intention in mind: chiefly in mean well, to have good intentions
2. to have a (specified) degree of importance, effect, or influence honors mean little to him