intranet

American  

[in-truh-net] / ˈɪn trəˌnɛt /

noun

Digital Technology.

1. a computer network with restricted access, as within a company, that uses software and protocols developed for the internet.

---

intranet British  

/ ˈɪntrəˌnɛt /

noun

1. computing an internal network that makes use of internet technology

---

intranet Scientific  

/ ĭn′trə-nĕt′ /

1. A privately maintained computer network that only authorized persons can access. Many corporations and institutions, for example, communicate with employees or members through the use of a private intranet.

---

Etymology

Origin of intranet

First recorded in 1990–95; intra- ( def. ) + (inter)net ( def. )

Compare meaning

How does intranet compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• internet vs. intranet

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

intranet

Citing an unnamed "informed source", the agency said local messaging applications "will soon be activated" on Iran's domestic intranet.

From Barron's ● Jan. 18, 2026

Phishing techniques have reportedly been used to hack phones and access people's data and Iran's access to the internet is largely restricted to a domestic service that mimics a private intranet.

From BBC ● Jan. 14, 2026

A 2023 Pentagon memo forbids staffers from using any unclassified communication network “to access, transmit, process non-public DoD information,” since there’s already a specialized Defense intranet system for classified info.

From Slate ● Mar. 27, 2025

North Korea has a similar intranet, called Kwangmyong, that enables the government to control access, censor content, and surveil users.

From Science Magazine ● Sep. 11, 2023

I’d spent the past six nights laying siege to the IGI intranet, digging deeper and deeper into the network.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline