internal
adjective
in·ter·nal
in-ˈtər-nᵊl 
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
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
Examples of internal in a Sentence
the internal structure of the planet
a patient who is experiencing internal bleeding
Recent Examples on the Web
The desire for more speed also demonstrated some of the internal clumsiness Weiss and her close inner circle have lamented on the technical side.
—
Max Tani, semafor.com, 2 Mar. 2026
In a bid to cut costs, the Federal Emergency Management Agency closed the Individual and Community Preparedness Division, or ICPD, and many of its programs last year, according to an internal document seen by Bloomberg News and people familiar with the unit.
—Arkansas Online, 2 Mar. 2026
Associations always benefit from having a clear internal process in place.
—Peter S. Sachs, Sun Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2026
In the nonprofit and governmental finance world, auditors are required to assess not only whether fraud has occurred but whether systems of internal control are designed and operating effectively to prevent and detect material misstatements or misuse of funds.
—Helen Amos, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for internal
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Max Tani, semafor.com, 2 Mar. 2026
In a bid to cut costs, the Federal Emergency Management Agency closed the Individual and Community Preparedness Division, or ICPD, and many of its programs last year, according to an internal document seen by Bloomberg News and people familiar with the unit.
—Arkansas Online, 2 Mar. 2026
Associations always benefit from having a clear internal process in place.
—Peter S. Sachs, Sun Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2026
In the nonprofit and governmental finance world, auditors are required to assess not only whether fraud has occurred but whether systems of internal control are designed and operating effectively to prevent and detect material misstatements or misuse of funds.
—Helen Amos, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for internal
Cite this Entry
“Internal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/internal. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
internal
adjective
in·ter·nal
in-ˈtərn-ᵊl
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
Medical Definition
internal
adjective
in·ter·nal
in-ˈtərn-ᵊl
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
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