internment

Everyday

1. Keeping people locked up or held in a place, often during a war, without a normal trial. tree →
2. The place or time when people are held in this way (an internment camp). tree →

In the lessons

Mostly in history lessons: in wars, some governments held people from enemy countries in internment camps. It is a serious, sad word about people losing their freedom unfairly. Phrases: internment camp, wartime internment, held in internment.

Examples

• During the war, many families were sent to internment camps. tree →
• Internment means being held without a fair trial. tree →
• The museum tells the story of the internment of local fishermen. tree →
• Her grandfather wrote a diary about his internment. tree →
• Many people now say the internment was unfair. tree →
• Internment is different from prison after a court case. tree →

Note

Usually uncountable. Verb: intern (to hold someone this way). Do not confuse with "internship" (a work-learning job) or "interment" (one n, a formal word for burial). Spelling: intern-ment, with n before m.