internal

[ in-tur-nl ]

adjective

1. situated or existing in the interior of something; interior.

   Antonyms: external

2. of, relating to, or noting the inside or inner part.

   Antonyms: external

3. Pharmacology. oral ( def 4 ).
4. existing, occurring, or found within the limits or scope of something; intrinsic:

   a theory having internal logic.

5. of or relating to the domestic affairs of a country:

   the internal politics of a nation.

6. existing solely within the individual mind:

   internal malaise.

7. coming from, produced, or motivated by the psyche or inner recesses of the mind; subjective:

   an internal response.

8. Anatomy, Zoology. inner; not superficial; away from the surface or next to the axis of the body or of a part:

   the internal carotid artery.

9. present or occurring within an organism or one of its parts:

   an internal organ.

noun

1. Usually internals. entrails; innards.
2. an inner or intrinsic attribute.

internal

/ ɪnˈtɜːnəl /

adjective

1. of, situated on, or suitable for the inside; inner
2. coming or acting from within; interior
3. involving the spiritual or mental life; subjective
4. of or involving a nation's domestic as opposed to foreign affairs
5. education denoting assessment by examiners who are employed at the candidate's place of study
6. situated within, affecting, or relating to the inside of the body

noun

1. a medical examination of the vagina, uterus, or rectum

Derived Forms

• ˌinterˈnality, noun
• inˈternally, adverb

Other Words From

• inter·nali·ty in·ternal·ness noun
• in·ternal·ly adverb
• quasi-in·ternal adjective
• quasi-in·ternal·ly adverb
• semi-in·ternal adjective
• semi-in·ternal·ly adverb
• subin·ternal adjective
• subin·ternal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of internal¹

First recorded in 1500–10; from Medieval Latin internālis, equivalent to Latin intern(us) intern ³ + ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of internal¹

C16: from Medieval Latin internālis, from Late Latin internus inward

Example Sentences

Argentine officials determined that the singer died from multiple traumas and internal and external bleeding caused by the fall.

From Los Angeles Times

The models revealed a unique internal construction of two opposing sound chambers that create physical air turbulence as the source of the screeching sound.

From Science Daily

Harrods launched an internal review last year to see whether anyone involved in any allegations is still working there.

From BBC

At age 15, Murray was hospitalized for more than two months after his intestines twisted and he required an emergency resection that resulted in post-operative internal bleeding.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite requests from MPs, the government did not disclose its internal assessment of the impact of the policy when a law to implement it went through Parliament.

From BBC

Related Words

• constitutional
• domestic
• in-house
• intramural
• national
• private
• subjective