internal

adjective

in·​ter·​nal in-ˈtər-nᵊl How to pronounce internal (audio)
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 noun
internally adverb

Examples of internal in a Sentence

the internal structure of the planet a patient who is experiencing internal bleeding
Recent Examples on the Web After an internal investigation, the company banned Fabunmi from going near the home. Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024 The Sheriff’s Department also is conducting an internal review of the incident. Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2024 Tallant retired before the department completed its internal investigation. Katie Mettler, Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2024 The Bee’s investigation found the police department and Sheriff’s Office had each not yet released internal affairs disciplinary documents for at least 50 incidents that had taken place since Jan. 1, 2019. Theresa Clift, Sacramento Bee, 22 Mar. 2024 After years of internal and external alarms that the military isn’t doing enough to address hate and extremism, an obscure federal contract may suggest a new approach: monitoring the social media of Air Force Academy cadets, staffers − and anyone else around the campus. Will Carless, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024 In the motion to dismiss, however, the defense argues that the gun showed signs of having been filed down, and that some of the internal components appeared aged, even though the gun was supposed to be brand new. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024 In February, Walmart suffered an internal computer glitch that prevented thousands of its locations from being able to take payments, and forcing six of its locations to cut operations altogether. Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2024 To reconstruct what happened in New Orleans, The Post obtained hundreds of internal law enforcement records, hours of video footage and dozens of text messages. Carolyn Van Houten, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'internal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of internal was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near internal

Cite this Entry

“Internal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/internal. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

internal

adjective
in·​ter·​nal in-ˈtərn-ᵊl How to pronounce internal (audio)
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 adverb

Medical Definition

internal

adjective
in·​ter·​nal in-ˈtərn-ᵊl How to pronounce internal (audio)
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 adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on internal

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