\ ˈklōs-ˈin
\
\
Definition of close-in
(Entry 1 of 2)
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
close in
verb
\ ˈklōz-
\
\
closed in; closing in; closes in
Definition of close in (Entry 2 of 2)
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
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Learn More About close-in
Statistics for close-in
Look-up Popularity
Cite this Entry
“Close-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/close-in. Accessed 23 Jun. 2021.
Style: MLA
MLA
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Test Your Vocabulary
Return of Name that Color!
-
- Name that color:
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Anagram puzzles meet word search.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Return of Name that Color!
Additional colors! More obscure than before!
Take the quiz -
Name that Thing: Dog Breeds
Can you correctly identify these breeds?
Take the quiz -
Name That Thing
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question ...
Take the quiz -
SCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!
Play the game
Share close-in
Time Traveler for close-in
The first known use of close-in was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century