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

The Garnet fire burning in the Sierra National Forest in Fresno County has come within three miles of a stately grove of giant sequoias.

From Los Angeles Times

He pledged "serious" cuts to the benefits bill and made the bold claim that he could "stop the boats within two weeks".

From BBC

Andy is a recognizable type within the white savior realm: a Black man with extraordinary potential who can only flourish under the shelter and care of a white person who takes him in as “family.”

From Salon

“Each count must identify the particular legal basis for liability and contain specific factual allegations that support each cause of action within each count,” Cannon wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

He was required to report to Williamson County jail within 30 days of his sentencing.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• in 
• indoors 
• inside