internal

adjective

in·​ter·​nal in-ˈtər-nᵊl 

ˈin-ˌtər-

1

: existing or situated within the limits or surface of something: such as

a(1)

: situated near the inside of the body

(2)

: situated on the side toward the median plane of the body

b

: of, relating to, or occurring on the inside of an organized structure (such as a club, company, or state)

internal affairs

2

: relating or belonging to or existing within the mind

3

: intrinsic, inherent

internal evidence of forgery in a document

4

: present or arising within an organism or one of its parts

internal stimulus

5

: applied or intended for application through the stomach by being swallowed

an internal remedy

internality

ˌin-ˌtər-ˈna-lə-tē 

noun

internally

in-ˈtər-nᵊl-ē 

adverb

Synonyms

• inner
• inside
• interior
• inward

Examples of internal in a Sentence

the internal structure of the planet

a patient who is experiencing internal bleeding

Recent Examples on the Web

The airline will also review its training manuals and internal reporting process, the letter said. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 19 June 2024

Spates, who also consults for companies and offers workshops alongside his work as a professor, said calls from companies who offered DEI trainings after Floyd and then stopped, along with companies who are having internal issues between employees, are increasing. —Adrienne Roberts, Detroit Free Press, 19 June 2024

The exact cook time will depend on your cut of chicken and its thickness, but when its internal temperature registers 165°F with an instant-read thermometer, it’s done. —Sheela Prakash, Bon Appétit, 19 June 2024

The exhibit, now being hosted at Elizabeth Pinkerton Middle School in Elk Grove, asks its participants to confront their own internal biases surrounding race, gender, sexuality and several other identities in similarly direct manners. —Jennah Pendleton, Sacramento Bee, 19 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English internalle, from Latin internus; akin to Latin inter between

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing internal

• internal bleeding
• internal clock
• internal combustion engine
• internal medicine
• internal respiration
• internal rhyme
• internal secretion

Kids Definition

internal

adjective

in·​ter·​nal in-ˈtərn-ᵊl 

1

: existing or lying within : inner

internal structure

2

: relating to, occurring, or located in the body

3

: of, relating to, or occurring on the inside of an organized structure (as a company or state)

internal affairs

internally

-ē 

adverb

Medical Definition

internal

adjective

in·​ter·​nal in-ˈtərn-ᵊl 

1

: existing or situated within the limits or surface of something: as

a

: situated near the inside of the body

an internal layer of abdominal muscle

b

: situated on the side toward the midsagittal plane of the body

the internal surface of the lung

2

: present or arising within an organism or one of its parts

an internal stimulus

3

: applied or intended for application through the stomach by being swallowed

an internal remedy

internally

in-ˈtərn-ᵊl-ē 

adverb