internment

[in-turn-muh nt]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR internment ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an act or instance of interning.

the state of being interned; confinement.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of internment

First recorded in 1865–70; intern¹ + -ment

Can be confusedinterment internment

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for internment

What did you learn from your five-year internment in Vietnam?
McCain’s 13 Favorite Soldiers|Sandra McElwaine|November 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the episode “Internment,” he reminds Rick of the dangers of slipping into darkness.
The Walking Dead’s Luke Skywalker: Rick Grimes Is the Perfect Modern-Day Mythical Hero|Regina Lizik|October 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And the second remark came during the Japanese internment conversation.
The Fox News Apology Tour|Dean Obeidallah|October 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, she was among the tens of thousands Japanese-Americans dispatched to internment camps.
Remembering Yuri Kochiyama, Civil Rights Activist and Malcolm X Ally|Herb Boyd|June 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Paul might have a point with Japanese internment, which was authorized by executive order.
Rand Paul is America's Smug Freshman Roommate|Jamelle Bouie|January 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A cleverly written description of a young English officer's internment as a prisoner of war in Germany.
A Kut Prisoner|H. C. W. Bishop
Investigation revealed how thorough the work of the German seamen—now enjoying themselves in internment camps—had been.
Our Navy in the War|Lawrence Perry
Internment in a city of refuge was a sober and judicial proceeding.
The Trial of Jesus from a Lawyer's Standpoint, Vol. I (of II)|Walter M. Chandler
With the internment of Mrs. Annie Besant it sounded a new note—a note inspired by an ardent love of humanity.
Chitta Ranjan|Sukumar Ranjan Das
In spite of everything that may be done for the prisoners, internment is and remains always a very hard lot.
The Better Germany in War Time|Harold Picton

British Dictionary definitions for internment

internment

noun

the act of interning or state of being interned, esp of enemy citizens in wartime or of terrorism suspects
(as modifier)an internment camp

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for internment

1870, from intern (v.) + -ment. Cf. French internement. Internment camp is attested from 1916.