into

preposition

in·​to ˈin-(ˌ)tü 

-tə

1

—used as a function word to indicate entry, introduction, insertion, superposition, or inclusion

came into the house

enter into an alliance

2

: in the direction of

looking into the sun

3

: to a position of contact with : against

ran into a wall

4

a

: to the state, condition, or form of

got into trouble

b

: to the occupation, action, or possession of

go into farming

c

: involved with or interested in

into sports

not into her music

5

—used as a function word to indicate a period of time or an extent of space part of which is passed or occupied

far into the night

6

—used as a function word to indicate the dividend in division

dividing 3 into 6 gives 2

Examples of into in a Sentence

She came into the room.

a medicine injected into the bloodstream

Please put the bowl into the sink.

They were heading into town.

He jumped into the pool.

She was just staring into space.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed in March when the container ship Dali ran into it, leading to the death of six construction workers, damages to Interstate 695 and interrupted port operations for months, Merriam-Webster said. —Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024

Call Cramer: 1-800-743-CNBC Want to take a deep dive into Cramer’s world? —Julie Coleman, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2024

To get into this hypothetical portfolio, a stock must have five-year historical earnings growth of 25% a year or better, yet the stock price must be 12 times earnings or less. —John Dorfman, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

Syria civil war The long rule of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is over after rebels swept into the capital of Damascus on Sunday. —Alexandra Banner, CNN, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English intō, from in entry 2 + tō to

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

into

preposition

in·​to ˈin-tə 

-tü

1

—used to indicate entry, introduction, or inclusion

came into the room

enter into an agreement

2

a

: to the state, condition, or form of

got into trouble

divide into four parts

b

: to the occupation, action, or possession of

go into farming

3

: against sense 4

ran into a wall

4

: involved with or interested in

was never into abstract art