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
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
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 company spent the better part of the twentieth century convincing Americans that the most valuable diamonds were heavy, brilliant, colorless, and free from internal flaws or external blemishes.
—
Emilia Petrarca, New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2026
Its ‘Min Time FUE Sapphire’ protocol is presented as a process optimization focused on reducing graft handling time, with internal data cited by the clinic indicating high graft survival rates.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
Firefighters often face metabolic heat stress that is more severe than external heat, and managing internal body temperature is critical for safety.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 2 Jan. 2026
But news may be worse still for Tesla, which took the unusual step of publishing analysts’ forecasts, suggesting future sales are unlikely to match internal targets.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for internal
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Emilia Petrarca, New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2026
Its ‘Min Time FUE Sapphire’ protocol is presented as a process optimization focused on reducing graft handling time, with internal data cited by the clinic indicating high graft survival rates.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
Firefighters often face metabolic heat stress that is more severe than external heat, and managing internal body temperature is critical for safety.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 2 Jan. 2026
But news may be worse still for Tesla, which took the unusual step of publishing analysts’ forecasts, suggesting future sales are unlikely to match internal targets.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for internal
Cite this Entry
“Internal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/internal. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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
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