within

adverb with·in \ wi-ˈt͟hin , -ˈthin \

Definition of within

1 :in or into the interior :inside

2 :in one's inner thought, disposition, or character :inwardly

search within for a creative impulse
—Kingman Brewster †1988

See within defined for English-language learners

See within defined for kids

Examples of within in a Sentence

We could hear sounds coming from within.
The sign on the door says “Help Wanted: Inquire Within.”
We all try to appear strong and attempt to hide the scared little child within.
They were outwardly calm but nervous within.

Recent Examples of within from the Web

Boca Raton's Dominick Shepley led off the bottom of the sixth with a triple to left/center field and scored on a sacrifice fly by Michael Tight to pull within 7-3, however Walters closed the door on the mound to earn the save.

— gary curreri, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Delray National Little League's youngest All-Stars win District 7/Palm Beach County title," 13 July 2017
The Breakthrough A new study in Science, by Juan Yin and colleagues at the University of Science and Technology in China and several other institutions there, has brought this future technology within much closer reach.

— jessica wapner, MSNBC Newsweek, "Cybersecurity Attacks Are a Global Threat. Chinese Scientists Have the Answer: Quantum Mechanics," 15 June 2017
After being no-hit for five innings by Brigham Hill, the Wildcats put together a three-run fifth and two-run sixth to pull within 6-5.

— rich croome, charlotteobserver, "Down 6-0, Davidson never gives, but Texas A&M prevails in 15 innings," 9 June 2017
Its plain facade belies the dazzling art within, most notably a cycle of sumptuous paintings by Veronese (born Paolo Caliari) of scenes from the Book of Esther.

— mary carole mccauley, baltimoresun.com, "On a trip to Venice, art is inescapable," 8 June 2017
Roman Josi and Frederick Gaudreau scored 42 seconds apart in the second period, and the Predators beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-1 Saturday night to pull within 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.

— teresa m. walker, courant.com, "Nashville Has Reason To Party After Predators Defeat Penguins, 5-1," 4 June 2017
Roman Josi and Frederick Gaudreau scored 42 seconds apart in the second period, and the Predators beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-1 Saturday night to pull within 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.

— teresa m. walker, courant.com, "Nashville Has Reason To Party After Predators Defeat Penguins, 5-1," 4 June 2017
Roman Josi and Frederick Gaudreau scored 42 seconds apart in the second period, and the Predators beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-1 Saturday night to pull within 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.

— teresa m. walker, courant.com, "Nashville Has Reason To Party After Predators Defeat Penguins, 5-1," 4 June 2017
Roman Josi and Frederick Gaudreau scored 42 seconds apart in the second period, and the Predators beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-1 Saturday night to pull within 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.

— teresa m. walker, chicagotribune.com, "Predators cut Penguins' Stanley Cup Final lead to 2-1 after Game 3 rout," 3 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'within.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of within

Middle English withinne, from Old English withinnan, from with + innan inwardly, within, from in

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

within

preposition

Definition of within

1 —used as a function word to indicate enclosure or containment

2 —used as a function word to indicate situation or circumstance in the limits or compass of: such as

a :before the end of

gone within a week

b (1) :not beyond the quantity, degree, or limitations of

live within your income

(2) :in or into the scope or sphere of

within the jurisdiction of the state

(3) :in or into the range of

within reach

within sight

(4) —used as a function word to indicate a specified difference or margin

came within two points of a perfect mark

within a mile of the town

3 :to the inside of :into

sunk the sea within the earth
—William Shakespeare

See within defined for English-language learners

Examples of within in a Sentence

They live within the city limits.
We could hear sounds coming from within his apartment.
Reports from within the company indicate a change in policy.
Most students find a job within a year of graduating.
She made several friends within days of moving into her new apartment.
He entered the house, and within seconds, he was surrounded by children.
Everything I need is within a few miles of my apartment.

First Known Use of within

12th century

within

noun

Definition of within

:an inner place or area

revolt from within

Examples of within in a Sentence

structural decay had started from within

Recent Examples of within from the Web

Drawing on only seven ingredients (the brand prides itself on being all-natural and cruelty-free), the highlighter is the go-to for a dewy, lit-from-within, goddess kind of glow.

— rachel nussbaum, Glamour, "This Incredibly Glowy Highlighter Is in Every Pro's Bag, and Now at Sephora," 15 Aug. 2017
To get that lit-from-within, all-over glow, add a couple of drops of your choice metallic to a primer, tinted moisturizer, or foundation for sheer holographic radiance.

— lauren valenti, Marie Claire, "These Color-Changing Drops Will Turn Your Makeup Holographic," 21 Mar. 2017

First Known Use of within

15th century

within Synonyms

Synonyms

innards, interior, inside

Antonyms

exterior, outside

Related Words

belly, bowels, guts; stuffing; recesses; center, core, heart

Near Antonyms

border, boundary, brim, brink, edge, end, extremity, fringe, limit, lip, margin, perimeter, periphery, rim; surface

within

adjective

Definition of within

:being inside :enclosed

the within indictment

First Known Use of within

1748

WITHIN Defined for English Language Learners

within

adverb

Definition of within for English Language Learners

: inside something
: in someone's inner thoughts, feelings, etc.

within

preposition

Definition of within for English Language Learners

: inside (a certain area or space)
: inside (a group, company, society, etc.)
: before the end of (a particular period of time)

WITHIN Defined for Kids

within

adverb with·in \ wit͟h-ˈin , with- \

Definition of within for Students

:²inside

Sounds came from within.

within

preposition

Definition of within for Students

1 :⁴inside 1

Stay within the house.

2 :not beyond the limits of

You should live within your income.

3 :before the end of

I'll be there within a week.

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within

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within

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