within

1 of 4

adverb

with·​in wi-ˈt͟hin How to pronounce within (audio) -ˈthin How to pronounce within (audio)
1
: in or into the interior : inside
2
: in one's inner thought, disposition, or character : inwardly
search within for a creative impulseKingman Brewster †1988

within

2 of 4

preposition

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 earthWilliam Shakespeare

within

3 of 4

noun

: an inner place or area
revolt from within

within

4 of 4

adjective

: being inside : enclosed
the within indictment

Examples of within in a Sentence

Adverb 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. Preposition 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. Noun structural decay had started from within
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb
The Rebels, at the 40, gave themselves a chance to possibly pull within 28-22 with 4 1/2 minutes to play. Cody Thorn, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2025 By identifying and activating these assets, communities build resilience from within. Shane Enete, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Preposition
Location Grand Hotel Fasano sits on the shores of Lake Garda, set within a lush 130,000-square-foot park teeming with palm and banana trees. Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025 The state’s studies show that Platte County fell within the low end of this threshold in 2019 and 2021. Madeline King, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
Cream blush will give you that lit-from-within glow. Annie Blay, Allure, 23 Nov. 2022 Fake a glow-from-within look with Neutrogena’s cult-favorite Hydro Boost serum. Nerisha Penrose, ELLE, 22 Nov. 2022
Adjective
The few longer waits that did pop up were largely within or just over the one-hour timeframe officials had predicted. Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024 Her beauty-from-within philosophy is bolstered by mindfulness, too. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2022 See All Example Sentences for within

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

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

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1748, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of within was before the 12th century

Cite this Entry

“Within.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/within. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

within

1 of 3 adverb
with·​in wit͟h-ˈin How to pronounce within (audio) with- How to pronounce within (audio)
1
: in or into the interior : inside
2
: inside oneself : inwardly
look within for imaginative ideas

within

2 of 3 preposition
1
: in or into the inner part of
within the house
2
: not beyond the bounds or limits of
within sight

within

3 of 3 noun
: an inner place or area

More from Merriam-Webster on within

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