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Synonyms

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.


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

"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

Other Word Forms

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.

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Vocabulary lists containing intramural

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.

This research was supported in part by the Intramural Research Program of the NIH; NCI; and NIH grants R01CA231300, R01CA204302, R01CA211052, R01CA169338 and U54CA224081.

From Science Daily • Apr. 18, 2024

Standing on Northeast 45th Street, student Sean Truong and a friend waited Monday for a bus ride to the Intramural Activities fitness center, on the far end of campus from his business classes.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 29, 2021

“Many people with chronic pain continue to suffer despite taking medication,” said Dr. Ramsden, a clinical investigator in the National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program.

From New York Times • Aug. 2, 2021

The National Intramural Recreational Sports Association has its own catch rule, one that ends on the following note: “If in doubt, it is a catch.”

From Slate • Mar. 21, 2018

Intramural and submucous fibroids give rise to haemorrhage.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 7 "Gyantse" to "Hallel" by Various