intern

1 of 4

noun

in·​tern ˈin-ˌtərn 

variants or less commonly interne

: an advanced student or graduate usually in a professional field (such as medicine or teaching) gaining supervised practical experience (as in a hospital or classroom)

internship

ˈin-ˌtərn-ˌship 

noun

intern

2 of 4

verb (1)

in·​tern ˈin-ˌtərn 

interned; interning; interns

intransitive verb

: to work as an intern

intern

3 of 4

verb (2)

in·​tern ˈin-ˌtərn  in-ˈtərn 

interned; interning; interns

transitive verb

: to confine or impound especially during a war

prisoners interned in camps during the war

The wartime government interned citizens and foreign-born residents.

internee

(ˌ)in-ˌtər-ˈnē 

noun

intern

4 of 4

adjective

in·​tern in-ˈtərn  ˈin-ˌtərn 

variants or interne

archaic

: internal

Synonyms of intern

Verb (2)

• jail
• imprison

Examples of intern in a Sentence

Verb (2)

some Polish citizens were interned in Russian camps during World War II

After medical school, he worked as an intern at the university hospital.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For 10 weeks, interns work closely with award-winning journalists in a fast-paced, 24-hour news environment where their experiences and perspectives are valued. — Washington Post Staff, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2026

Soltys was an intern there the summer of 1980 in the public relations department and ended up working there until 2023 before returning two years ago as the network’s historian. — Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2026

Adjective

The site, which was formerly used to intern Japanese Americans during the Second World War, has become a hub of harrowing reports of inhumane conditions, including a case involving a detainee who a witness reported was choked to death by guards. — Garrett M. Graff, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026

Growing the intern population equitably serves the mission of many organizations. — Benjamin Wolff, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French interne, from interne, adjective

Adjective

Middle French interne, from Latin internus

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1879, in the meaning defined above

Verb (1)

circa 1928, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1866, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

circa 1560, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for intern

• comintern

Kids Definition

intern

1 of 3 verb

in·​tern ˈin-ˌtərn  in-ˈtərn 

: to confine especially during a war

interned enemy aliens

intern

2 of 3 noun

in·​tern

variants also interne

ˈin-ˌtərn

: an advanced student or graduate in a special field (as medicine or teaching) who is gaining supervised practical experience (as in a hospital or classroom)

intern

3 of 3 verb

in·​tern ˈin-ˌtərn 

: to work as an intern

Medical Definition

intern

1 of 2 noun

in·​tern

variants also interne

ˈin-ˌtərn 

: a physician gaining supervised practical experience in a hospital after graduating from medical school

called also houseman

intern

2 of 2 intransitive verb

in·​tern ˈin-ˌtərn 

: to act as an intern