# internship

/ˈɪntɝnˌʃɪp/ (US) · /ɪntˈɜːnʃɪp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/internship
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. professional work experience

noun · CEFR B1

a temporary job for a student or new worker to learn about a profession.

For teachers: a temporary position within an organisation, often unpaid or low-paid, designed to provide practical training for students or recent graduates.

- She spent her summer doing an internship at a local law firm to see if she liked the work.
- The candidate's resume was bolstered by a prestigious six-month internship at a leading architectural firm in London.

Usage: Often used with the verbs 'do', 'complete', or 'undertake'.

Teaching tip: In British English, this is often called a 'placement' or 'work experience' depending on the duration and the student's age.

## Examples

- She is doing a summer internship at a law firm.
- After completing his internship at the hospital, he felt much more confident about starting his medical career.
- While many entry-level roles require prior experience, a well-structured internship provides the foundational skills and professional networking opportunities necessary to bridge the gap between academia and industry.

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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.
