# inter

/ˌɪnˈtɝ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/inter
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to bury a body

verb · CEFR C2 · Formal

to bury a dead person in a grave or tomb, usually with a ceremony.

For teachers: to place a corpse in a grave or tomb, typically with funeral rites. Transitive; requires a direct object.

- The fallen soldiers were interred in the national cemetery with full military honours.
- After the state funeral, the monarch's remains were interred in the royal vault alongside those of her predecessors.

Usage: Often used in the passive voice in news reports or historical accounts.

### 2. to confine

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary · Formal

to trap or keep someone or something in a restricted place.

For teachers: to confine or imprison, often in a restricted or isolated location. Transitive; less common than the sense of burial.

- The political prisoners were interred in a remote facility far from the city.
- The ancient documents were interred in the deep archives of the university, hidden from public view for centuries.

Teaching tip: Learners often confuse this with 'intern' (to confine during war) or 'inter' (to bury). While related, 'inter' is most frequently used for burial.

## Examples

- The family decided to inter the ashes in the garden.
- After the memorial service, the fallen soldiers were interred with full military honors in the national cemetery.
- The poet's remains were interred in the cathedral's crypt, fulfilling a final request that his body rest among the historical figures he had spent his life studying.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.