in

1 of 11

preposition

ˈin How to pronounce in (audio)
ən,
ᵊn
1
a
used as a function word to indicate inclusion, location, or position within limits
in the lake
wounded in the leg
in the summer
b
: into sense 1
went in the house
2
used as a function word to indicate means, medium, or instrumentality
written in pencil
bound in leather
3
a
used as a function word to indicate limitation, qualification, or circumstance
alike in some respects
left in a hurry
b
: into sense 4a
broke in pieces
4
used as a function word to indicate purpose
said in reply
5
used as a function word to indicate the larger member of a ratio
one in six is eligible

in

2 of 11

adverb

1
a(1)
: to or toward the inside especially of a house or other building
come in
(2)
: to or toward some destination or particular place
flew in on the first plane
(3)
: at close quarters : near
play close in
b
: so as to incorporate
mix in the flour
often used in combination
built-in bookcases
c
: to or at an appropriate place
fit a piece in
2
a
: within a particular place
especially : within the customary place of residence or business
the doctor is in
b
: in the position of participant, insider, or officeholder
often used with on
in on the joke
c(1)
: on good terms
(2)
: in a specified relation
in bad with the boss
(3)
: in a position of assured or definitive success
d
: in vogue or season
e
of an oil well : in production
f
: in one's presence, possession, or control
after the crops are in
g
: from a condition of indistinguishability to one of clarity
fade in

in

3 of 11

adjective

1
a
: that is located inside or within
the in part
b
: that is in position, operation, or power
the in party
2
: that is directed or bound inward : incoming
the in train
3
a
: extremely fashionable
the in thing to do
b
: keenly aware of and responsive to what is new and fashionable
the in crowd

in

4 of 11

noun

1
: one who is in office or power or on the inside
a matter of ins versus outs
2
: influence, pull
enjoyed some sort of in with the commandantHenriette Roosenburg

in

5 of 11

abbreviation (1)

1
inch
2
inlet

In

6 of 11

symbol

indium

IN

7 of 11

abbreviation (2)

Indiana

in-

8 of 11

prefix (1)

variants or il- or im- or ir-
: not : non-, un-
usually il- before l
illogical
, im- before b, m, or p
imbalance
immoral
impractical
, ir- before r
irreducible
, and in- before other sounds
inconclusive

in-

9 of 11

prefix (2)

variants or il- or im- or ir-
1
: in : within : into : toward : on
usually il- before l
illuviation
, im- before b, m, or p
immingle
, ir- before r
irradiance
, and in- before other sounds
infiltrate
2
: en- entry 1
imbrute
imperil
inspirit

-in

10 of 11

noun suffix

1
a
: neutral chemical compound
insulin
b
: enzyme
pancreatin
c
: antibiotic
penicillin
2
: -ine entry 2 sense 1a
epinephrin
3
: pharmaceutical product
niacin

-in

11 of 11

noun combining form

: organized public protest by means of or in favor of : demonstration
teach-in
love-in
Phrases
in for
: certain to experience
in for a rude awakening

Examples of in in a Sentence

Preposition Don't come in here with those muddy feet! drawn on the wall in crayon Adverb She went in and closed the door. I lost my keys and now I can't get in. The burglars broke in through the kitchen window. The pool is deep. Be careful not to fall in. The boss called us in for a conference. The fog was closing in fast. Get your orders in early! Is the train in yet? Adjective the in thing to do the in place to go It's what the in crowd is wearing this season. Noun When you're trying to get started in show business, it helps to have an in. They must have an in with the boss.
Recent Examples on the Web
Preposition
The San Diego Police Officers Association has not endorsed in the mayor’s race, though the union did back Gloria in 2020. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2024 Then Austin Butler approached him, eager to compliment Friend’s recent Elvis impression as Friend broke into song in the actor’s husky drawl. Jake Kring-Schreifels, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 Demonstrations in the United States have occurred almost daily, from small communities to thousands of people marching in the nation's capital. Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2024 Today the company has carved a niche for itself in the world of hi-fi headphone accessories, especially with its range of ear pads. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 Blood was in the water now, and the amuse-bouche had somehow become chum. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2024 Pasta shells aren't just meant to be doused in cheese. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2024 If his words weren’t enough, the two also capped off their conversation in a cute moment with a trust fall. Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2024 Wilson’s collapse ended his ability to push congressional leaders to ratify the Versailles treaty and American membership in the League Of Nations, which were ultimately rejected by a 49-35 Senate vote in March 1920. Thomas Doherty, The Conversation, 1 Feb. 2024
Adverb
Now the evidence is in, and the TCJA looks set to be remembered as an outstanding fiscal disaster. Kathryn Anne Edwards, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 Other films Shue has appeared in include Battle of the Sexes (2017), Death Wish (2018), and Greyhound (2020). Sarah Weldon, EW.com, 8 Mar. 2024 The top six teams in each conference will secure automatic playoff berths while the next four teams will have to fight their way in through the play-in tournament. Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2024 The first person to walk in appeared to be a female donning long hair and a mask while wearing boots, skinny jeans, a Nike hat and a white and yellowish-orange-sleeved jacket. Greg Wehner, Fox News, 5 Mar. 2024 That puts a lot of pressure on Ramirez to produce big numbers year in and year out. Jim Ingraham, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 Others have live active cultures stirred directly in, rather than fermenting. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2024 Chida dived in, producing a 20-page paper about the lack of evidence for weapons of mass destruction. Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2024 And then the surprising reality of the job settles in. Adam Bryant, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
Adjective
Southland Prep celebrates at ‘All-In’ college rally Southland College Prep Charter High School in Richton Park recently celebrated for the tenth consecutive year that all members of its senior class have been accepted to college. Paul Eisenberg, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2023 But on their in-state routes, Alaska Air is the only option. Scott McMurren, Anchorage Daily News, 28 Jan. 2023 Abby is famously swole, and her in-game body was based on Colleen Fotsch, a CrossFit star. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 28 Jan. 2023 And on an individual level are players such Riley Mahlman and Kaden Johnson, highly-touted prospects from Minnesota who declined the chance to play for their in-state school and joined forces with its oldest rival. Mark Stewart, Journal Sentinel, 23 Nov. 2022 While SeatGeek immediately shows the all-in price on its website, on its mobile app, the company only shows fees immediately if customers turn the filter on, but that filter button isn’t visible without scrolling. Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2022 Taxes on the homes are additional, but the all-in cost is lower than land-lease parks. Scott Burns, Dallas News, 24 Apr. 2022 Yumi customers also get exclusive access to its in-house team of experts, including pediatricians and nutritionists, to offer support along your food journey. Stefani Sassos, Good Housekeeping, 30 Dec. 2022 This year, earmarks comprise more than half of the additional $103 million the agency received for its in-house research account and nearly one-quarter of NIST’s overall budget of $1.6 billion. Byjeffrey Mervis, science.org, 29 Dec. 2022
Noun
Electrical plants with rotating generators are giving way to solar and wind farms fronted by power inverters, which convert the renewables’ DC-out into the grid’s AC-in. IEEE Spectrum, 14 Feb. 2024 That switch in the order of events related to liability is comparable to the difference between opt-in and opt-out in privacy. Jaron Lanier, WIRED, 13 Feb. 2024 Ryan O’Meara brought his black Angus steer named Ace to the Carroll County Agriculture Center in Westminster Friday for the annual 4-H Beef Weigh-in. Thomas Goodwin Smith, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2024 After coming out of the era of the in-crowd with nice metal flake cars and hot rodders, the lowriders [arrived]. Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 14 Dec. 2023 Recently, the team began seizing on Republican in-fighting, sharing a slew of moments in which lawmakers slam their own party — and back the administration's messaging. Virginia Chamlee, Peoplemag, 23 Nov. 2023 Ingredients 4 to 5 thick slices day-old sourdough bread, crusts removed, bread torn into 1-in. Emily Nabors Hall, Southern Living, 25 Dec. 2023 What keeps him driven to make movies, more than a half-century in? Jen Yamato, Los Angeles Times, 30 Nov. 2023 Active Time: 15 mins Total Time: 3 hrs 25 mins Yield: 1 (10-in.) cake Persimmons add moisture and a hint of sweetness to this persimmon cake. Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 28 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'in.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Preposition

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German in in, Latin in, Greek en

Prefix (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin; akin to Old English un-

Prefix (2)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin, from in in, into

Noun suffix

French -ine, from Latin -īna, feminine of -īnus of or belonging to — more at -en

Noun combining form

sit-in

First Known Use

Preposition

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

Adverb

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

Adjective

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of in was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near in

Cite this Entry

“In.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

in

1 of 6 preposition
(ˈ)in How to pronounce in (audio)
ən,
ᵊn
1
a
used to show enclosing, including, or placing within limits
in the lake
wounded in the leg
in the summer
in a minute
b
: into sense 1a
went in the house
don't come in here with those muddy feet
2
used to show means or medium
written in pencil
works in plastics
photographs in color
3
a
used to show a state or condition
we're in trouble
is made in three sizes
in power
in love
b
: into sense 2a
broke in pieces
4
used to show manner or purpose
said in reply
5
used to show the larger member of a ratio
one in five

in

2 of 6 adverb
1
a
: to or toward the inside
went in and closed the door
b
: to or toward a place
flew in yesterday
c
: so as to be or seem near
play close in
d
: into the midst of something
mix in the flour
e
: to or at its proper place
fit a piece in
f
: so as to be in agreement
fell in with our plans
2
a
: on the inner side : within
everyone is in
b
: on good terms
in with the right people
c
: in fashion
boots are in this year
d
: at hand : on hand
the evidence was in
harvests are in

in

3 of 6 adjective
1
a
: being inside or within
the in part
b
: being in power
the in party
2
: directed or bound inward : incoming
the in train
3
a
: very fashionable
the in thing to do
the in place to go
b
: very aware of and taking part in what is new and fashionable
the in crowd

in-

4 of 6 prefix
variants or il- or im- or ir-
: not : non-, un-
usually il- before l
illogical
, im- before b, m, or p
imbalance
immoral
impractical
, ir- before r
irreducible
, and in- before other sounds
inconclusive

in-

5 of 6 prefix
variants or il- or im- or ir-
1
: in : within : into : toward : on
usually il- before l, im- before b, m, or p, ir- before r, and in- before other sounds
infiltrate
2
: en- sense 2
imperil

-in

6 of 6 noun suffix
ən
: chemical compound
stearin
insulin
niacin
Etymology

Prefix

derived from Latin in- "not"

Prefix

derived from Latin in "in, into"

Noun suffix

derived from Latin -ina, -inus (adjective suffixes)

Medical Definition

in

1 of 2 abbreviation
inch

In

2 of 2 symbol
indium

Legal Definition

in

preposition
: under the law of : based on
brought an action in negligenceNational Law Journal

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