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

Examples of internal in a Sentence

the internal structure of the planet

a patient who is experiencing internal bleeding

Recent Examples on the Web

Biden delivers impassioned speech at Detroit rally After his stumbling performance against former President Donald Trump on June 27's CNN debate, President Joe Biden has faced growing internal calls to step aside as the Democratic Party's nominee. —Diamy Wang, Detroit Free Press, 13 July 2024

Midlothian Assistant Chief of Police Scott Brown confirmed the shooting and said the department will conduct an internal investigation into its officers’ involvement. —Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 July 2024

Blue Bird Body Company: $79 million to build a new electric school bus line on the site of a former motor home manufacturer in Fort Valley, Ga. Cummins: $75 million to convert an internal combustion product line in Columbus, Ind., to make battery packs and other electric power-train parts. —Russ Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2024

Amid a strategic shift to invest in generative AI, Intuit will lay off 1,800 workers—an effort that does not have to do with cutting costs, its CEO said in an internal memo. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 12 July 2024

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

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