ˈin 
ən,
ᵊn
1
a
—used as a function word to indicate inclusion, location, or position within limits
in the lake
wounded in the leg
in the summer
b
: into sense 1
went in the house
2
—used as a function word to indicate means, medium, or instrumentality
written in pencil
bound in leather
3
a
—used as a function word to indicate limitation, qualification, or circumstance
alike in some respects
left in a hurry
b
: into sense 4a
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
1
a(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 combinationbuilt-in bookcases
c
: to or at an appropriate place
fit a piece in
2
a
: 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
1
a
: that is located inside or within
the in part
b
: that is in position, operation, or power
the in party
c
2
: that is directed or bound inward : incoming
the in train
3
a
: extremely fashionable
the in thing to do
b
: keenly aware of and responsive to what is new and fashionable
the in crowd
1
inch
2
inlet
indium
Indiana
variants
or il-
or im-
or ir-
variants
or il-
or im-
or ir-
1
: in : within : into : toward : on
—usually il- before l
illuviation
, im- before b, m, or pimmingle
, ir- before rirradiance
, and in- before other soundsinfiltrate
2
: en- entry 1
imbrute
imperil
inspirit
1
a
: neutral chemical compound
insulin
b
: enzyme
pancreatin
c
: antibiotic
penicillin
2
: -ine entry 2 sense 1a
epinephrin
3
: pharmaceutical product
niacin
: organized public protest by means of or in favor of : demonstration
teach-in
love-in
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
Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2025
The show follows Riri Williams, an MIT student and scientist who made her MCU debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and helps fans get to know a character who has only recently been in the spotlight.
—Braedon Montgomery, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Faisal J. Abbas, semafor.com, 17 June 2025
Plus, big endorsements in the NIL have flowed in fast.
—Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Trefis Team, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Optical atomic clocks, accurate to picoseconds, will enable satellite constellations and ground stations to determine satellites’ locations with centimeter-level precision—avoiding potentially catastrophic in-orbit collisions.
—Paul Lipman, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
This old-fashioned instrument relied on a hand crank, as well as an outside metal canister that contained ice and rock salt to freeze its contents of milk, cream, sugar, and mix-ins.
—Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for in
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Preposition
For me, in my personal life, balanced with the band, this is great.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2025
The show follows Riri Williams, an MIT student and scientist who made her MCU debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and helps fans get to know a character who has only recently been in the spotlight.
—Braedon Montgomery, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Adverb
This conflict risks sucking the US military in, sending oil prices over $100 a barrel, and dragging the US and global economy into recession.
—Faisal J. Abbas, semafor.com, 17 June 2025
Plus, big endorsements in the NIL have flowed in fast.
—Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Adjective
See why 2025 Could Be Intel Stock’s Comeback Year for an in depth look at how Intel stock could be re-rated higher.
—Trefis Team, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Optical atomic clocks, accurate to picoseconds, will enable satellite constellations and ground stations to determine satellites’ locations with centimeter-level precision—avoiding potentially catastrophic in-orbit collisions.
—Paul Lipman, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
Noun
A lot of times, that dictates your ins and your outs.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
This old-fashioned instrument relied on a hand crank, as well as an outside metal canister that contained ice and rock salt to freeze its contents of milk, cream, sugar, and mix-ins.
—Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for in
Cite this Entry
“In.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
in
1 of 6 preposition
(ˈ)in
ən,
ᵊn
1
a
—used to show enclosing, including, or placing within limits
in the lake
wounded in the leg
in the summer
in a minute
b
: into sense 1a
went in the house
don't come in here with those muddy feet
2
—used to show means or medium
written in pencil
works in plastics
photographs in color
3
a
—used to show a state or condition
we're in trouble
is made in three sizes
in power
in love
b
: into sense 2a
broke in pieces
4
—used to show manner or purpose
said in reply
5
—used to show the larger member of a ratio
one in five
in
2 of 6 adverb1
a
: to or toward the inside
went in and closed the door
b
: to or toward a place
flew in yesterday
c
: so as to be or seem near
play close in
d
: into the midst of something
mix in the flour
e
: to or at its proper place
fit a piece in
f
: so as to be in agreement
fell in with our plans
2
a
: on the inner side : within
everyone is in
b
: on good terms
in with the right people
c
: in fashion
boots are in this year
d
: at hand : on hand
the evidence was in
harvests are in
in-
5 of 6 prefix
variants
or il-
or im-
or ir-
1
: in : within : into : toward : on
—usually il- before l, im- before b, m, or p, ir- before r, and in- before other sounds
infiltrate
2
: en- sense 2
imperil
-in
6 of 6 noun suffixən
: chemical compound
stearin
insulin
niacin
Etymology
Prefix
derived from Latin in- "not"
Prefix
derived from Latin in "in, into"
Noun suffix
derived from Latin -ina, -inus (adjective suffixes)
Legal Definition
in
preposition
: under the law of : based on
brought an action in negligence—National Law Journal
National Law JournalLove words? Need even more definitions?
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