intramural
Americanadjective
-
involving only students at the same school or college.
intramural athletics.
-
within the walls, boundaries, or enclosing units, as of a city, institution, or building.
-
Anatomy. being within the substance of a wall, as of an organ.
-
involving or understood only by members of a single group, profession, etc..
an intramural medical conference.
adjective
-
education operating within or involving those in a single establishment
-
anatomy within the walls of a cavity or hollow organ
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of intramural
Explanation
Something that's intramural takes place within a single institution or community. Your local recreational center might offer intramural table tennis to its members. First used in the mid-19th century, the adjective intramural comes from the prefix intra, meaning "within," and the Latin word murus, meaning "walls." It describes an activity that is done within the boundaries — the walls — of an organization or community. You might be familiar with intramural sports leagues that are intended for recreation and fun. They're often offered though a school or community group and are typically open for any member to join.
Vocabulary lists containing intramural
Physical Education - Middle School and High School
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Outcasts United
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Chocolate War
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The evidence suggests most Republicans are brushing off the intramural criticism.
From Slate • Mar. 23, 2026
As portrayed by Mr. Giamatti, he’s a welcome jolt of energy in a show where the hostilities are largely intramural.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 13, 2026
I think because the case has twisted on forever and now seems tangled in intramural process matters, it’s hard to comprehend the enormity of what’s at stake here.
From Slate • Sep. 2, 2025
The University of Alabama, Aldridge said, now has three robots, two for athletics and one for intramural fields.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 5, 2025
He could also hold his own in the ring and almost knocked out that monster Carter in the intramural matches last year.
From "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
