within

[with-in, with-]

adverb

1. in or into the interior or inner part; inside.

2. in or into a house, building, etc.; indoors.

   The fire was burning on the hearth within.

3. on, or as regards, the inside; internally.

4. inside an enclosed place, area, room, etc..

   He was startled by a cry from within.

5. in the mind, heart, or soul; inwardly.

preposition

1. in or into the interior of or the parts or space enclosed by.

   within city walls.

2. inside of; in.

3. in the compass or limits of; not beyond.

   within view;

   to live within one's income.

4. at or to some point not beyond, as in length or distance; not farther than.

   within a radius of a mile.

5. at or to some amount or degree not exceeding.

   within two degrees of freezing.

6. in the course or period of, as in time.

   within one's memory;

   within three minutes.

7. inside of the limits fixed or required by; not transgressing.

   within the law.

8. in the field, sphere, or scope of.

   within the family;

   within one's power.

noun

1. the inside of a place, space, or building.

within

/ wɪˈðɪn /

preposition

1. in; inside; enclosed or encased by

2. before (a period of time) has elapsed

   within a week

3. 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

1. formal,  inside; internally

Word History and Origins

Origin of within¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

• in (within) reason
• spitting distance, within
• wheels within wheels

Example Sentences

Researchers have now identified naturally produced molecules with anti-aging potential that originate within the body itself.

Read more on Science Daily

She said she was still reeling at the "massive" reaction to her Facebook post where people had sorted a Santa within hours.

Read more on BBC

Trailing by four to start the fourth quarter, the Bucks pulled within two points on an Antetokounpo dunk with 5:19 remaining.

Read more on Barron's

"I opened up the Daily Mail, it read 'Andy Peebles Goes To Radio 1' - I was down there within 30 minutes!"

Read more on BBC

“Insults about my character,” he said, “are unfounded and unproductive…I have operated within the rules, I’ve been transparent about my aims, and I’ve engaged through proper channels to resolve disagreements.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• in 
• indoors 
• inside