within

1 of 4

adverb

with·​in wi-ˈt͟hin  -ˈthin 

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

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 earth …

—William 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

Synonyms of within

Noun

• interior
• inside

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

Adverb

Denver extended the lead to 16 early in the third quarter but the Lakers scored 13 straight to pull within 80-77 midway through the period. —Oc Register, 21 Jan. 2026

After selling the cars, Diallo would steal them back within around a 24-hour period, according to the probable cause statement. —Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 21 Jan. 2026

Preposition

Footage of the incidents show agents swarming vehicles, smashing windows and trying to pry open car doors within seconds of approaching drivers. —Christopher Cann, USA Today, 16 Jan. 2026

Ryan Companies previously completed three other multi-story, mixed-use projects on separate blocks west of the tracks — The Springhill Suites, Pierside South and Pierside North multi-use buildings — within the nine-block master plan. —Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026

Noun

Beauty-from-within has become a major movement. —Sara Braun, Charlotte Observer, 29 Dec. 2025

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

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

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

Noun

1912, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1748, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing within

• come in/within sight of (something)
• in/within living memory
• in/within the space of
• live within/beyond one's means
• live within one's means
• wheels within wheels
• within an ace of
• within an inch of
• within a whisker of
• within budget
• within call
• within easy reach
• within (easy) reach of
• within hearing
• within hearing distance
• within/in walking distance
• within limits
• within minutes
• within moments
• within one's rights
• within reach
• within reason
• within sight of (something)
• within someone's grasp
• within someone's power
• within someone's reach
• within spitting distance
• within the bounds of possibility
• within the law
• within the range/realm of possibility
• within the realm of the possible
• within view
• within view of

Rhymes for within

• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• deerskin
• foreskin
• fuchsin
• herein
• kingpin
• linchpin
• pigskin
• pinyin

Kids Definition

within

1 of 3 adverb

with·​in wit͟h-ˈin  with- 

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