inner workings

plural noun

: the parts (of something) that are only known by the people who work on it
He wanted to experience the inner workings of the political campaign.

Examples of inner workings in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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. Send us feedback.
The Hill is a nonpartisan publication reporting on the inner workings of government and the nexus of politics and business. Myra Adams, Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2026 The company’s rising stars first undergo a two-day crash course in business fundamentals and the inner workings of the toy industry, taught by senior executives including CEO Chris Cocks himself. Preston Fore, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2026 Directed by Sarah Mast, the five-episode docuseries exposes the inner workings of the religious sect, where members carried out mass murders at the behest of their fanatical prophet to target rivals and even LeBaron's own kin. James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Jan. 2026 The book itself is the only possible diagram—always somewhat blurred, sometimes inscrutable—of its inner workings. Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inner workings

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inner workings.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inner%20workings. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!