within
Americanadverb
-
in or into the interior or inner part; inside.
-
in or into a house, building, etc.; indoors.
The fire was burning on the hearth within.
-
on, or as regards, the inside; internally.
-
inside an enclosed place, area, room, etc..
He was startled by a cry from within.
-
in the mind, heart, or soul; inwardly.
preposition
-
in or into the interior of or the parts or space enclosed by.
within city walls.
-
inside of; in.
-
in the compass or limits of; not beyond.
within view;
to live within one's income.
-
at or to some point not beyond, as in length or distance; not farther than.
within a radius of a mile.
-
at or to some amount or degree not exceeding.
within two degrees of freezing.
-
in the course or period of, as in time.
within one's memory;
within three minutes.
-
inside of the limits fixed or required by; not transgressing.
within the law.
-
in the field, sphere, or scope of.
within the family;
within one's power.
noun
preposition
-
in; inside; enclosed or encased by
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before (a period of time) has elapsed
within a week
-
not beyond the limits of; not differing by more than (a specified amount) from
live within your means
within seconds of the world record
adverb
Etymology
Origin of within
First recorded before 1000; Middle English withinne (preposition and adverb), Old English withinnan (adverb), equivalent to with with- + innan “from within,” equivalent to in in + -an, suffix of motion
Explanation
Use the adverb within when you need to say that something is on the inside. If you find that the door to your brother’s room is locked from within, that means it’s locked from the inside and he really doesn't want you to enter. Within often refers to something on the inside of an object or structure — like those screams coming from within the haunted house. You can also use the word more figuratively to describe something that’s in your soul or mind — something that’s internal. For example, you might feel a fire within you as you start getting excited about playing in the big game.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“I’m filled with pure joy and gratitude knowing my day has come to receive flowers of this magnitude for the legacy I’ve left within the game of basketball and the Sparks organization.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026
She watched the 20-year-old Roper identical twins provide one of Wales' stories of Glasgow so far in winning bronze medals within a couple of hours of each other.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
Hours before Clayton's confirmation vote, Pulte boasted that a fifth round of dismissals would bring staffing reductions at the intelligence coordinating body to about 30 percent within weeks.
From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026
Several experts believe the change will force seniors to switch to Medicare Advantage plans once they are faced with higher premiums or reduced offerings within their plans.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026
It was the size of a kiddie pool and the space within it rippled like light on glass.
From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
