internal

adjective

in·​ter·​nal in-ˈtər-nᵊl How to pronounce internal (audio)
ˈin-ˌtər-
1
: existing or situated within the limits or surface of something: such as
a(1)
: situated near the inside of the body
(2)
: situated on the side toward the median plane of the body
b
: of, relating to, or occurring on the inside of an organized structure (such as a club, company, or state)
internal affairs
2
: relating or belonging to or existing within the mind
3
: intrinsic, inherent
internal evidence of forgery in a document
4
: present or arising within an organism or one of its parts
internal stimulus
5
: applied or intended for application through the stomach by being swallowed
an internal remedy
internality noun
internally adverb

Examples of internal in a Sentence

the internal structure of the planet a patient who is experiencing internal bleeding
Recent Examples on the Web In the motion to dismiss, however, the defense argues that the gun showed signs of having been filed down, and that some of the internal components appeared aged, even though the gun was supposed to be brand new. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024 In February, Walmart suffered an internal computer glitch that prevented thousands of its locations from being able to take payments, and forcing six of its locations to cut operations altogether. Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2024 To reconstruct what happened in New Orleans, The Post obtained hundreds of internal law enforcement records, hours of video footage and dozens of text messages. Carolyn Van Houten, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024 Said to have been inducted into the Mexican Mafia in 1994, Torres was stabbed to death in the exercise yard at California State Prison, Sacramento, on July 6 in what law enforcement officials suspect was an internal power struggle over control of the L.A. County jails. Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 The country was in the grip of some of the worst violence of its long internal conflict. Beverly Bryan, SPIN, 14 Mar. 2024 Finding talent in finance and internal audit (37%), compliance with laws and regulations (36%), and finance transformation (33%), were clustered together. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2024 That move came after a 2014 internal investigation about toxic conditions on the set of the Grande/Jennette McCurdy show Sam & Kat resulted in hands-on boss Schneider no longer interacting with the series cast while being sequestered in his office. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2024 When using tougher cuts of meat to make pastrami—such as beef brisket—the final internal temperature can be as high as 205 degrees F. How long does pastrami last? Jack Hennessy, Field & Stream, 13 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'internal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English internalle, from Latin internus; akin to Latin inter between

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of internal was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near internal

Cite this Entry

“Internal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/internal. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

internal

adjective
in·​ter·​nal in-ˈtərn-ᵊl How to pronounce internal (audio)
1
: existing or lying within : inner
internal structure
2
: relating to, occurring, or located in the body
3
: of, relating to, or occurring on the inside of an organized structure (as a company or state)
internal affairs
internally adverb

Medical Definition

internal

adjective
in·​ter·​nal in-ˈtərn-ᵊl How to pronounce internal (audio)
1
: existing or situated within the limits or surface of something: as
a
: situated near the inside of the body
an internal layer of abdominal muscle
b
: situated on the side toward the midsagittal plane of the body
the internal surface of the lung
2
: present or arising within an organism or one of its parts
an internal stimulus
3
: applied or intended for application through the stomach by being swallowed
an internal remedy
internally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on internal

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