innards

American  

[in-erdz] / ˈɪn ərdz /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. the internal parts of the body; entrails or viscera.

2. the internal mechanism, parts, structure, etc., of something; the interior of something.

   an engine's innards.

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innards British  

/ ˈɪnədz /

plural noun

1. the internal organs of the body, esp the viscera

2. the interior parts or components of anything, esp the working parts

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Etymology

Origin of innards

1815–25; variant of inwards ( def. ), noun use of inward

Example Sentences

Last year Coogie Jackson ate some leaves for two bits and got poison ivy all through his throat and innards.

From Literature

Covered in fractal patterns like “the symmetrical innards of a halved cabbage,” the giant humanoid insect reclines, “a god-sized man sleeping atop the quilt of the land.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The engine will spin like the innards of a kaleidoscope and embedded in the bike will be a small mini-game.

From Los Angeles Times

Step closer and you hear the contraption appearing to breathe, a tinkling sound like wind chimes emanating from the cooling mechanism that keeps its innards colder than outer space.

From Barron's

Its motorized innards were prone to skidding, seizing and unexplained work stoppages, causing the crew to occasionally handle the camera like a vending machine that had stolen their money.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• guts
• insides