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.

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intranet British  

/ ˈɪntrəˌnɛt /

noun

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

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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.

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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

The vast majority of North Korea's 25 million people cannot access the global internet, with phones instead connecting to a highly restricted national intranet.

From Barron's • May 5, 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

Instead, the NIN—an intranet not linked to the outside world—is emerging as a bespoke, shadow network for Iran.

From Science Magazine • Sep. 11, 2023

The anonymous seller claimed to be a former IOI contract programmer and one of the lead architects of its company intranet.

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