1
—used as a function word to indicate enclosure or containment
2
—used as a function word to indicate situation or circumstance in the limits or compass of: such as
a
: before the end of
gone within a week
b(1)
: not beyond the quantity, degree, or limitations of
live within your income
(2)
: in or into the scope or sphere of
within the jurisdiction of the state
(3)
: in or into the range of
within reach
within sight
(4)
—used as a function word to indicate a specified difference or margin
came within two points of a perfect mark
within a mile of the town
3
: to the inside of : into
sunk the sea within the earth—
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
: an inner place or area
revolt from within
Synonyms
Examples of within in a Sentence
Adverb
We could hear sounds coming from within.
The sign on the door says “Help Wanted: Inquire Within.”
We all try to appear strong and attempt to hide the scared little child within.
They were outwardly calm but nervous within.
Preposition
They live within the city limits.
We could hear sounds coming from within his apartment.
Reports from within the company indicate a change in policy.
Most students find a job within a year of graduating.
She made several friends within days of moving into her new apartment.
He entered the house, and within seconds, he was surrounded by children.
Everything I need is within a few miles of my apartment.
Noun
structural decay had started from within
Recent Examples on the WebBen Terzi, Baltimore Sun, 22 Feb. 2024
Firefighters had to cut into the structure through layers of insulation and rubber to extinguish the fire that was smoldering within, Flood said.
—Stacy Ryburn, arkansasonline.com, 15 Apr. 2024
Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 25 May 2024
The Sox had scored four runs in the ninth to pull within 8-6.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2024
Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 23 June 2018
Cream blush will give you that lit-from-within glow.
—Annie Blay, Allure, 23 Nov. 2022
Kiana Murden, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2022
Expecting both John Brown and Cole Beasley to have solid games in PPR formats is well within reason as QB Josh Allen could exploit the holes in the backend of the Jets’ defense.
—Frankie Taddeo, SI.com, 4 Sep. 2019
See all Example Sentences for within 
Adverb
Prior to Tuesday’s meeting, the bill would have allowed accessory units to be either within, directly attached to, or on the lot of a single-family primary home.
—Ben Terzi, Baltimore Sun, 22 Feb. 2024
Firefighters had to cut into the structure through layers of insulation and rubber to extinguish the fire that was smoldering within, Flood said.
—Stacy Ryburn, arkansasonline.com, 15 Apr. 2024
Preposition
The small island can be covered on foot or in an electric wheelchair within a few hours.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 25 May 2024
The Sox had scored four runs in the ninth to pull within 8-6.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2024
Noun
This revealed that the within-subjects standard deviation was on average nearly eight times higher than the corresponding between-subjects standard deviation.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 23 June 2018
Cream blush will give you that lit-from-within glow.
—Annie Blay, Allure, 23 Nov. 2022
Adjective
Her beauty-from-within philosophy is bolstered by mindfulness, too.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2022
Expecting both John Brown and Cole Beasley to have solid games in PPR formats is well within reason as QB Josh Allen could exploit the holes in the backend of the Jets’ defense.
—Frankie Taddeo, SI.com, 4 Sep. 2019
See all Example Sentences for within
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'within.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near within
Cite this Entry
“Within.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/within. Accessed 5 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
within
2 of 3 preposition1
: in or into the inner part of
within the house
2
: not beyond the bounds or limits of
within sight
within
3 of 3 noun
: an inner place or area
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