internal

adjective

in·​ter·​nal in-ˈtər-nᵊl 

ˈin-ˌtər-

1

: existing or situated within the limits or surface of something: such as

a(1)

: situated near the inside of the body

(2)

: situated on the side toward the median plane of the body

b

: of, relating to, or occurring on the inside of an organized structure (such as a club, company, or state)

internal affairs

2

: relating or belonging to or existing within the mind

3

: intrinsic, inherent

internal evidence of forgery in a document

4

: present or arising within an organism or one of its parts

internal stimulus

5

: applied or intended for application through the stomach by being swallowed

an internal remedy

internality

ˌin-ˌtər-ˈna-lə-tē 

noun

internally

in-ˈtər-nᵊl-ē 

adverb

Synonyms

• inner
• inside
• interior
• inward

Example Sentences

the internal structure of the planet

a patient who is experiencing internal bleeding

Recent Examples on the Web

Common cancer treatments like chemotherapy and external or internal radiation therapies are considered adjuvant therapies. —Doru Paul, Verywell Health, 19 Mar. 2023

Henrico County Sheriff Alisa Gregory said in a statement that her office was cooperating fully with state police and conducting its own internal review of the incident. —Kayla Jimenez, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2023

As with all-wheel-drive variants of internal-combustion vehicles, all-wheel-drive EVs come with benefits as well as compromises, so one thing that hasn't changed in this transition from gas to electric is carefully considering your own needs. —Drew Dorian, Car and Driver, 17 Mar. 2023

The agency started an internal cursory review and then opened a formal investigation. —Steve Karnowski, Fortune, 17 Mar. 2023

But some financial watchdogs have demanded a more independent investigation, arguing that the Fed’s failures were so significant that an internal review won’t suffice. —Jonathan O'connell, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2023

The things that are scary or chasing the different characters are oftentimes things that are internal and peculiar to that person. —Dan Snierson, EW.com, 15 Mar. 2023

An internal review at Kids Matter is also underway to address any potential impact on its clients, Conwell said in a statement. —Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2023

All this could grant the ultimate, elusive wish for EV makers: Price parity with internal-combustion automobiles. —IEEE Spectrum, 11 Mar. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English internalle, from Latin internus; akin to Latin inter between

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing internal

• internal bleeding
• internal rhyme
• internal clock
• internal medicine
• internal secretion
• internal combustion engine
• internal respiration

• internal bleeding
• internal rhyme
• internal clock
• internal medicine
• internal secretion
• internal combustion engine
• internal respiration

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Kids Definition

internal

adjective

in·​ter·​nal in-ˈtərn-ᵊl 

1

: existing or lying within : inner

internal structure

2

: relating to, occurring, or located in the body

3

: of, relating to, or occurring on the inside of an organized structure (as a company or state)

internal affairs

internally

-ē 

adverb

Medical Definition

internal

adjective

in·​ter·​nal in-ˈtərn-ᵊl 

1

: existing or situated within the limits or surface of something: as

a

: situated near the inside of the body

an internal layer of abdominal muscle

b

: situated on the side toward the midsagittal plane of the body

the internal surface of the lung

2

: present or arising within an organism or one of its parts

an internal stimulus

3

: applied or intended for application through the stomach by being swallowed

an internal remedy

internally

in-ˈtərn-ᵊl-ē 

adverb