internal

adjective

in·​ter·​nal in-ˈtər-nᵊl 

ˈin-ˌtər-

1

: existing or situated within the limits or surface of something

a toy's internal mechanism

the internal structure of a planet

2

a

: situated or occurring inside the body

internal bleeding

internal organs

b

: moving or turning towards the center of the body

internal rotation of the shoulder

3

: of, relating to, or occurring within an organized entity (such as a state, company, or club)

the internal workings of the department

an internal memo [=a memo addressed to the people within the entity and not to the general public]

see also internal affairs

4

: relating or belonging to or existing within the mind

internal [=private] doubts

an internal monologue

5

: originating in or dependent on the thing itself : intrinsic, inherent

internal evidence of forgery in a document

6

: present or arising within an organism or one of its parts

internal stimuli such as hunger and thirst

7

: applied or intended for application through the stomach by being swallowed

an internal remedy

internality

ˌin-ˌtər-ˈna-lə-tē 

noun

internally

in-ˈtər-nᵊl-ē 

adverb

Synonyms of internal

• inner
• interior

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 result was a company looking to cut operating costs as part of other internal initiatives to better monetize big-ticket acquisitions. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026

Cornell closed the fraternity chapter and disciplined several students following an internal investigation, but no criminal charges have been filed. — Leah Willingham, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Caplan said that Weiss’s consistent internal communication on his action plan—addressing nine areas, including facilities, visitor experience, technology, and security—has already helped with morale. — Hilarie M. Sheets, ARTnews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Renault’s structural cell-to-pack engineering mitigates this by omitting internal packaging, slipping more power directly into the vehicle floor. — New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English internalle, from Latin internus; akin to Latin inter between

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing internal

• internal affairs
• internal bleeding
• internal clock
• internal combustion engine
• internal medicine
• internal respiration
• internal rhyme
• internal secretion

Rhymes for internal

• diurnal
• eternal
• external
• fraternal
• infernal
• maternal
• nocturnal
• paternal
• pimpernel
• colonel
• journal
• kernel

Kids 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

internally

-ē 

adverb

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

internally

in-ˈtərn-ᵊl-ē 

adverb