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
William Shakespeare
: an inner place or area
revolt from within
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
Sushma Subramanian, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 July 2025
The farmstand facade, with its deep porch and metal overhang, hints at just some of the goodies within, from fresh fruits and veggies to preserves and jams.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 7 June 2025
Luke Smith, New York Times, 6 July 2025
The receivers knew the play, knew every route assignment within it and therefore had a pretty good idea of where Mahomes would look to throw the ball.
—Sam McDowell 6, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2025
Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 23 June 2018
Cream blush will give you that lit-from-within glow.
—Annie Blay, Allure, 23 Nov. 2022
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adverb
Fundamentally, the system works by detecting the movement of fluid within.
—Sushma Subramanian, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 July 2025
The farmstand facade, with its deep porch and metal overhang, hints at just some of the goodies within, from fresh fruits and veggies to preserves and jams.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 7 June 2025
Preposition
As of next year, 10 of the 11 F1 teams will have some kind of UK base — the majority of which are within an hour’s drive of Silverstone.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 6 July 2025
The receivers knew the play, knew every route assignment within it and therefore had a pretty good idea of where Mahomes would look to throw the ball.
—Sam McDowell 6, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2025
Noun
This revealed that the within-subjects standard deviation was on average nearly eight times higher than the corresponding between-subjects standard deviation.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 23 June 2018
Cream blush will give you that lit-from-within glow.
—Annie Blay, Allure, 23 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
Cite this Entry
“Within.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/within. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
within
2 of 3 preposition1
: 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
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