in

preposition

\ ˈin

, ən, ᵊn\

Definition of in

(Entry 1 of 11)

1a —used as a function word to indicate inclusion, location, or position within limits in the lakewounded in the legin the summer

b : into sense 1 went in the house

2 —used as a function word to indicate means, medium, or instrumentality written in pencilbound in leather

3a —used as a function word to indicate limitation, qualification, or circumstance alike in some respectsleft in a hurry

b : into sense 2a broke in pieces

4 —used as a function word to indicate purpose said in reply

5 —used as a function word to indicate the larger member of a ratio one in six is eligible

adverb

\ ˈin

Definition of in (Entry 2 of 11)

1a(1) : to or toward the inside especially of a house or other building come in

(2) : to or toward some destination or particular place flew in on the first plane

(3) : at close quarters : near play close in

b : so as to incorporate mix in the flour —often used in combination built-in bookcases

c : to or at an appropriate place fit a piece in

2a : within a particular place especially : within the customary place of residence or business the doctor is in

b : in the position of participant, insider, or officeholder —often used with on in on the joke

c(1) : on good terms

(2) : in a specified relation in bad with the boss

(3) : in a position of assured or definitive success

d : in vogue or season

e of an oil well : in production

f : in one's presence, possession, or control after the crops are in

g : from a condition of indistinguishability to one of clarity fade in

in for

: certain to experience in for a rude awakening

adjective

\ ˈin

Definition of in (Entry 3 of 11)

1a : that is located inside or within the in part

b : that is in position, operation, or power the in party

c : inside sense 2

2 : that is directed or bound inward : incoming the in train

3a : extremely fashionable the in thing to do

b : keenly aware of and responsive to what is new and fashionable the in crowd

noun

\ ˈin

Definition of in (Entry 4 of 11)

1 : one who is in office or power or on the inside a matter of ins versus outs

2 : influence, pull enjoyed some sort of in with the commandant— Henriette Roosenburg

abbreviation (1)

Definition of in (Entry 5 of 11)

1 inch

2 inlet

symbol

Definition of In (Entry 6 of 11)

indium

abbreviation (2)

Definition of IN (Entry 7 of 11)

Indiana

in-

prefix (1)

variants: or il- or im- or ir-

Definition of in- (Entry 8 of 11)

: not : non-, un- —usually il- before l illogical , im- before b, m, or p imbalanceimmoralimpractical , ir- before r irreducible , and in- before other sounds inconclusive

in-

prefix (2)

variants: or il- or im- or ir-

Definition of in- (Entry 9 of 11)

1 : in : within : into : toward : on —usually il- before l illuviation , im- before b, m, or p immingle , ir- before r irradiance , and in- before other sounds infiltrate

2 : en- entry 1 imbrute imperil inspirit

-in

noun suffix

Definition of -in (Entry 10 of 11)

1a : neutral chemical compound insulin

b : enzyme pancreatin

c : antibiotic penicillin

2 : -ine entry 2 sense 1a epinephrin

3 : pharmaceutical product niacin

-in

noun combining form

Definition of -in (Entry 11 of 11)

: organized public protest by means of or in favor of : demonstration teach-in love-in

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about in

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of in in a Sentence

Preposition

Don't come in here with those muddy feet! drawn on the wall in crayon

Adverb

She went in and closed the door. I lost my keys and now I can't get in. The burglars broke in through the kitchen window. The pool is deep. Be careful not to fall in. The boss called us in for a conference. The fog was closing in fast. Get your orders in early! Is the train in yet?

Adjective

the in thing to do the in place to go It's what the in crowd is wearing this season.

Noun

When you're trying to get started in show business, it helps to have an in. They must have an in with the boss.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb

If Potter is able to get results along with Brighton’s easy-on-the-eye football, the Seagulls’ supporters will be in for an exciting season under their new gaffer. — SI.com, "Watford 0-3 Brighton: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Seagulls Steal Points From Sting-Free Hornets," 10 Aug. 2019 Snipes, perhaps best known for such films as Blade, White Men Can’t Jump and New Jack City, is also starring in and executive producing the indie action thriller Payline. — Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, "Wesley Snipes Joins Eddie Murphy in 'Coming to America' Sequel (Exclusive)," 7 Aug. 2019 The hearing will be in open session, must be separate from other council proceedings, and will not include public comment unless the council votes to allow it. — Jeff B. Flinn, ExpressNews.com, "Mayor of San Antonio suburb faces one more try to get him out of office," 30 July 2019 During the 2017 Eagle Creek fire, Lannen had embers land on his front porch, and last year was troubled by images of California drivers stuck in long lines of traffic as flames raged along the side of the roads leading out of Paradise. — Hal Bernton, The Seattle Times, "As wildfire risk grows west of Cascades, homeowners urged to better protect their homes," 30 July 2019 Reddit is also limiting Community Awards to safe-for-work subreddits which are in good standing with the site. — Jon Porter, The Verge, "Reddit now lets subreddits design and hand out their own awards," 24 July 2019 Investigators said Vail riddled a car Harris was in with an AR-15-style rifle. — Anthony Man, sun-sentinel.com, "Accused killer released from jail by mistake is back behind the bars he hoped to leave behind," 20 July 2019 These constellations are needed because the satellites will be in low-Earth orbit (LEO). — The Economist, "Space law is inadequate for the boom in human activity there," 17 July 2019 Newsletter Sign-up As recently as a few weeks ago, migrant minors reported being in crowded, unclean Border Patrol cells for nearly a month without regular access to food, showers and medical care, according to lawyers and advocates. — Alicia A. Caldwell, WSJ, "Federal Agencies Trade Blame Over Detention of Migrant Children," 12 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

If the alternative to an all-in bet was another year of underwhelming returns, Toronto's choice was clear all year. — Andrew Sharp, SI.com, "We The Champs: Kawhi, Masai and the Legend of the 2019 Raptors," 14 June 2019 Andre Roberson's injury has hurt them worse than anyone could have imagined, and suddenly the all-in bet on one year of George is becoming a more sobering proposition. — Andrew Sharp, SI.com, "The Year of Stress in the Western Conference," 9 Mar. 2018 But this latest test suggests that the United States may already be in range as well, and that, as one former top American intelligence official noted recently, would put enormous pressure on American missile defenses that few trust to work. — Chris Stirewalt, Fox News, "Trump looks east for new foreign policy," 5 July 2017 But this latest test suggests that the United States may already be in range as well, and that, as one former top American intelligence official noted recently, would put enormous pressure on American missile defenses that few trust to work. — David E. Sanger, New York Times, "What Can Trump Do About North Korea? His Options Are Few and Risky," 4 July 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

After an armed robbery and three break-ins, Madisonville rallies around its coffee shop. — Cameron Knight, Cincinnati.com, "Police: Corryville Kroger and CVS robbed by same man on same night," 24 July 2019 With temperatures expected to rise into the 90s and even higher heat indices later this week, the fair has lifted its carry-in ban on water bottles. — Jenny Whidden, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "From contests to deals, here's everything you need to know about the 177th Waukesha County Fair," 16 July 2019 The incident comes almost 37 years to the day after another break-in at Buckingham Palace. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "An Intruder Broke Into Buckingham Palace While Queen Elizabeth Was Sleeping," 11 July 2019 The Perot campaign owed much of its amazing start to its call-in, soft-news-show launch, which allowed it to get its message out unfiltered. — Olivia B. Waxman, Time, "How Ross Perot Changed Political Campaigns," 9 July 2019 The 1st District had the city’s second-highest vehicle break-in rate, 16%, but only 4% of curfew violators taken to the city’s new curfew center, according to Asher. — Kevin Litten, nola.com, "City Council questions Cantrell’s ‘tough love’ approach to juvenile justice," 27 June 2019 The 2011 winners tried to use their new Vermont ski-in, ski-out lodge as a vacation home, Tedesco reports, but only managed to use it five times before deciding to sell. — Lew Sichelman, courant.com, "Win a dream house? Take the money and run," 26 June 2019 This is far more significant wrongdoing even than the Watergate break-in and its subsequent cover-up which led to Nixon’s impeachment and resignation. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Rep. Scott Peters calls for U.S. House to start impeachment proceedings," 26 June 2019 Fort Worth police are investigating a shooting that left a man dead during an apparent break-in at his home Monday night. — Loyd Brumfield, Dallas News, "Man shot to death during possible burglary in Fort Worth, police say," 25 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'in.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of in

Preposition

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Adjective

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for in

Preposition

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German in in, Latin in, Greek en

Prefix (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin; akin to Old English un-

Prefix (2)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin, from in in, into

Noun suffix

French -ine, from Latin -īna, feminine of -īnus of or belonging to — more at -en

Noun combining form

sit-in

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about in

Dictionary Entries near in

impx

imu

I must love you and leave you

in-

Statistics for in

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for in

The first known use of in was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for in

preposition

English Language Learners Definition of in

(Entry 1 of 4)

—used to indicate location or position within something

: to the inside of (a room, container, etc.)

—used to indicate that someone or something belongs to or is included as part of something

adverb

English Language Learners Definition of in (Entry 2 of 4)

: to or toward the inside of something (such as a building)

: to or toward a place

: at the place where someone or something arrives after traveling

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of in (Entry 3 of 4)

: popular or fashionable

: aware of and strongly influenced by what is new and fashionable

noun

English Language Learners Definition of in (Entry 4 of 4)

chiefly US, informal : a way of becoming involved in something or of influencing someone

See the full definition for in in the English Language Learners Dictionary

preposition

\ ˈin

, ən\

Kids Definition of in

(Entry 1 of 7)

1 : located or positioned within The house is in the country.

2 : into sense 1 We ran in the house.

3 : during It's warmer in the summer.

4 : with sense 2 I wrote in pencil.

5 —used to show a state or condition You're in luck!We're in trouble.

6 —used to show manner or purpose I'm in a hurry.He laughed in reply.

7 : into sense 2 It broke in pieces.

adverb

\ ˈin

Kids Definition of in (Entry 2 of 7)

1 : to or toward the inside I went in and closed the door.

2 : to or toward some particular place We flew in yesterday.

3 : near entry 1 sense 1 Play close in.

4 : into the midst of something Mix in the flour.

5 : to or at its proper place Can you fit this piece in?

6 : on the inner side : within Everyone is in.

7 : present and available for use All the votes are in.

in for

: sure to experience He was in for a surprise.

adjective

\ ˈin

Kids Definition of in (Entry 3 of 7)

1 : being inside or within the in part

2 : headed or bound inward the in train

3 : fashionable

in.

abbreviation

Kids Definition of in.

inch

abbreviation

Kids Definition of IN

Indiana

in-

prefix

variants: or il- or im- or ir-

Kids Definition of in-

(Entry 1 of 7)

: not : non-, un- —usually il- before l illogical , im- before b, m, or p immoralimpractical , ir- before r irreconcilable and in- before other sounds incomplete

in-

prefix

variants: or il- or im- or ir-

Kids Definition of in- (Entry 2 of 7)

1 : in : within : into : toward : on —usually il- before l illuminate , im- before b, m, or p import , ir- before r irradiate , and in- before other sounds infect

2 : en- sense 2 imperil