Meaning & Definition of word "Internship"

Internship

/ˈɪnˌtɜrnˌʃɪp/

noun:

  • 1. A period of time during which a student or trainee works for a company or organization to gain practical experience in a particular field.
    • Example: She secured an internship at a renowned marketing firm over the summer.
  • 2. The position or role of an intern, often involving training and practical experience.
    • Example: His internship involved assisting in research and development projects.
  • 3. An educational program that combines classroom learning with practical work experience in an industry.
    • Example: Many universities require students to complete an internship as part of their degree requirements.
  • 4. A temporary position that often does not offer financial compensation.
    • Example: He took an unpaid internship to gain experience in the competitive field of journalism.
  • 5. A program or opportunity for professionals to gain experience in a new field or organization, sometimes as a career switch.
    • Example: After years as a teacher, she decided to take an internship in public relations to explore a new career path.

Etymology

From 'intern' + '-ship', originally meaning a position of an intern.

Common Phrases and Expressions

summer internship:

A temporary position during the summer months, often for students.

paid internship:

An internship where the intern receives compensation.

unpaid internship:

An internship where the intern does not receive monetary compensation.

Related Words

intern:

A person who works as an intern.

apprentice:

A beginner who is learning a trade from a skilled employer.

trainee:

A person who is being trained for a job.

Slang Meanings of internship

Meaning: Spec work

Example Sentence: I did some spec work for their website during my internship.

Meaning: Gopher

Example Sentence: As an intern, I felt like a gopher, running errands for everyone.