internal

1 of 2

adjective

in·​ter·​nal in-ˈtər-nᵊl 

ˈin-ˌtər-

1

: existing or situated within the limits or surface of something

a toy's internal mechanism

the internal structure of a planet

2

a

: situated or occurring inside the body

internal bleeding

internal organs

b

: moving or turning towards the center of the body

internal rotation of the shoulder

3

: of, relating to, or occurring within an organized entity (such as a state, company, or club)

the internal workings of the department

an internal memo [=a memo addressed to the people within the entity and not to the general public]

see also internal affairs

4

: relating or belonging to or existing within the mind

internal [=private] doubts

an internal monologue

5

: originating in or dependent on the thing itself : intrinsic, inherent

internal evidence of forgery in a document

6

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

internal stimuli such as hunger and thirst

7

: 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

internality

2 of 2

noun

in·​ter·​nal·​i·​ty ˌin(ˌ)tərˈnalətē 

plural -es

: the quality or state of being internal : interiority

Synonyms of internal

Adjective

• inner
• interior

Examples of internal in a Sentence

Adjective

the internal structure of the planet

a patient who is experiencing internal bleeding

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Stearns also cited internal candidates that can fill in at second base. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 10 Nov. 2026

So many others – not all but many – feeling the squeeze of instant satisfaction from itchy fan bases and twitchy administrations, or the march of their own internal professional clocks, are opting to fast-track experience. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2026

That infrastructure enables the brand to rapidly expand its product range without any corresponding increase in admin overhead for the internal teams. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2026

Evaluators external or internal to tech companies can rely on guidelines from medical societies, such as the American Cancer Society and the American Academy of Pediatrics. — Jessica Fishman, STAT, 10 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing internal

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

Rhymes for internal

• diurnal
• eternal
• external
• fraternal
• infernal
• maternal
• nocturnal
• paternal
• pimpernel
• colonel
• journal
• kernel

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