1
: near a center of activity and especially a city
close-in suburbs
2
: occurring or designed for use within a narrowly limited area
close-in fighting
close-in weapons
closed in; closing in; closes in
1
: to encircle closely and isolate
2
: to enshroud to such an extent as to preclude entrance or exit
the airport was closed in by the storm
1
: to gather in close all around with an oppressing or isolating effect
despair closed in on her
2
: to approach to close quarters especially for an attack, raid, or arrest
the police closed in
3
: to grow dark
the short November day was already closing in—
Ellen Glasgow
Ellen Glasgow
Synonyms
Examples of close-in in a Sentence
Verb
the eagle closed in on its prey
with evening closing in we knew we had to find shelter fairly soon
Recent Examples on the WebFrank Dell'apa, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Aug. 2023
The exception is the close-in Yellow zone, which runs along the east side of the stadium.
—Jon Healey, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2023
Meckler next turns her attention to efforts by Shaker Heights residents and activists in the 1950s and ‘60s to avert the wave of sudden panic selling by whites when aspiring middle-class Blacks sought to move into Cleveland’s close-in suburbs and climb social and economic ladders.
—Steven Litt, cleveland, 18 Aug. 2023
And while the close-in, trench-line fighting is different in Bakhmut from the problem of mines in the south, the focus has left some in the Biden administration concerned that overcommitting in the east may have eroded the potency of the counteroffensive in the south.
—John Hudson and Alex Horton, Anchorage Daily News, 18 Aug. 2023
And while the close-in, trench-line fighting is different in Bakhmut from the problem of mines in the south, the focus has left some in the Bidenadministration concerned that overcommitting in the east may have eroded the potency of the counteroffensive in the south.
—Alex Horton, Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2023
In close-in east Dallas, near shops, restaurants and the Katy Trail, the four-bedroom home at 4207 Camden Ave. has been updated with new windows, a heating and air conditioning unit and an improved kitchen and primary bath.
—Allie Beth Allman & Associates, Dallas News, 13 Aug. 2023
Beijing’s sweeping claims to virtually all of the South China Sea were invalidated by a U.N.-backed tribunal at The Hague in 2016, but that hasn’t stopped Chinese ships from firing lasers and water cannons or performing close-in maneuvers and fleet blockades to assert territorial dominance.
—Time, 8 Aug. 2023
Delta says the extra service at the close-in airport will drive down fares for visitors to the nation’s capital.
—Wire Services, Dallas News, 18 July 2023
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Adjective
In the 30th minute, Gil had a close-in right-footer blocked, then sent a 45-yarder off the top of the crossbar.
Edwards, backup to Matt Turner and Petrovic the last two seasons, performed well in his fifth start of the season.
—Frank Dell'apa, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Aug. 2023
The exception is the close-in Yellow zone, which runs along the east side of the stadium.
—Jon Healey, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2023
Meckler next turns her attention to efforts by Shaker Heights residents and activists in the 1950s and ‘60s to avert the wave of sudden panic selling by whites when aspiring middle-class Blacks sought to move into Cleveland’s close-in suburbs and climb social and economic ladders.
—Steven Litt, cleveland, 18 Aug. 2023
And while the close-in, trench-line fighting is different in Bakhmut from the problem of mines in the south, the focus has left some in the Biden administration concerned that overcommitting in the east may have eroded the potency of the counteroffensive in the south.
—John Hudson and Alex Horton, Anchorage Daily News, 18 Aug. 2023
And while the close-in, trench-line fighting is different in Bakhmut from the problem of mines in the south, the focus has left some in the Bidenadministration concerned that overcommitting in the east may have eroded the potency of the counteroffensive in the south.
—Alex Horton, Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2023
In close-in east Dallas, near shops, restaurants and the Katy Trail, the four-bedroom home at 4207 Camden Ave. has been updated with new windows, a heating and air conditioning unit and an improved kitchen and primary bath.
—Allie Beth Allman & Associates, Dallas News, 13 Aug. 2023
Beijing’s sweeping claims to virtually all of the South China Sea were invalidated by a U.N.-backed tribunal at The Hague in 2016, but that hasn’t stopped Chinese ships from firing lasers and water cannons or performing close-in maneuvers and fleet blockades to assert territorial dominance.
—Time, 8 Aug. 2023
Delta says the extra service at the close-in airport will drive down fares for visitors to the nation’s capital.
—Wire Services, Dallas News, 18 July 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'close-in.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
Adjective
1945, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of close-in was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near close-in
Cite this Entry
“Close-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/close-in. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
close in
verb
: to gather in close all around with an oppressing effect
despair closed in on her
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