intramural

American  

[in-truh-myoor-uhl] / ˌɪn trəˈmyʊər əl /

adjective

1. involving only students at the same school or college.

   intramural athletics.

2. within the walls, boundaries, or enclosing units, as of a city, institution, or building.

3. Anatomy. being within the substance of a wall, as of an organ.

4. involving or understood only by members of a single group, profession, etc..

   an intramural medical conference.

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intramural British  

/ ˌɪntrəˈmjʊərəl /

adjective

1. education operating within or involving those in a single establishment

2. anatomy within the walls of a cavity or hollow organ

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Other Word Forms

• intramurally adverb

Etymology

Origin of intramural

First recorded in 1840–50; intra- + mural

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.

Example Sentences

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

In college I was skipped for an intramural team because a girl reviewing the candidates found a photo of me online, slumping in huge khakis.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 30, 2025

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

This work was supported by the intramural research program of the U.S.

From Science Daily • May 28, 2024

The first day, we’d watched the gymnastics team perform in an intramural exhibition meet, and then we’d attended a football game.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles

Related Words

• constitutional
• domestic
• in-house
• national
• private
• subjective