First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1within
adverb with·in \wi-ˈthin, -ˈthin\
: inside something
: in someone's inner thoughts, feelings, etc.
Full Definition of WITHIN
1
: in or into the interior : inside
2
: in one's inner thought, disposition, or character : inwardly <search within for a creative impulse — Kingman Brewster †1988>
See within defined for English-language learners
See within defined for kids
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Origin of WITHIN
Middle English withinne, from Old English withinnan, from with + innan inwardly, within, from in
Rhymes with WITHIN
add-in, again, akin, all-in, backspin, bearskin, begin, Benin, blow in, Boleyn, bowfin, break-in, bring in, buckskin, build in, built-in, burn-in, butt in, calfskin, call in, call-in, capeskin, cash in, cave-in, chagrin, check in, check-in, chime in, chip in, clothespin, come in, coonskin, crankpin, cut in, deerskin, dig in, doeskin, do in, draw in, drive-in, drop in, duckpin, dustbin, edge in, fade-in, fall in, fill in, fill-in, foreskin, Fuxin, get in, give in, goatskin, go in, Guilin, hairpin, hand in, hang in, Harbin, has-been, headpin, herein, horn in, Jilin, kick in, kidskin, kingpin, lambskin, lay in, lead-in, lie-in, linchpin, live-in, lived-in, lobe-fin, locked-in, log in, look-in, love-in, moleskin, move in, munchkin, Nankin, ninepin, no-win, oilskin, phone-in, pigskin, pinyin, pitch in, plug-in, plugged-in, pull in, punch in, pushpin, put in, rub in, ruin, run in, run-in, saimin, scarfpin, scarfskin, sealskin, send in, set in, sharkskin, shear pin, sheepskin, shoo-in, shut-in, sidespin, sign in, sit-in, sleep in, sleep-in, sloe gin, snakeskin, sock in, stand in, stand-in, step in, stickpin, suck in, swanskin, swear in, swim fin, tail fin, tailspin, take in, tap-in, teach-in, tenpin, therein, tholepin, threadfin, throw in, tie-in, tiepin, tip-in, toe-in, Tonkin, topspin, trade in, trade-in, tune in, tuned-in, Turin, turn in, unpin, walk-in, wear thin, weigh in, wherein, whip in, wineskin, win-win, woolskin, work in, wrist pin, write-in, Yeltsin
2within
preposition
: inside (a certain area or space)
: inside (a group, company, society, etc.)
: before the end of (a particular period of time)
Full Definition of WITHIN
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: 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 — Shakespeare>
See within defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of WITHIN
12th century
3within
noun
Definition of WITHIN
: an inner place or area <revolt from within>
First Known Use of WITHIN
15th century
4within
adjective
Definition of WITHIN
: being inside : enclosed <the within indictment>
First Known Use of WITHIN
1748
WITHIN Defined for Kids
1within
adverb with·in \with-ˈin, with-\
Definition of WITHIN for Kids
: 2inside <Sounds came from within.>
2within
preposition
Definition of WITHIN for Kids
1
: 4inside 1 <Stay within the house.>
2
: not beyond the limits of <You should live within your income.>
3
: before the end of <I'll be there within a week.>
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