within
1 prep If something is within a place, area, or object, it is inside it or surrounded by it.
FORMAL, Antonym: outside Clients are entertained within private dining rooms..., ...a 1987 agreement which would recognise Quebec as a distinct society within Canada.
Within is also an adverb., adv usu from ADV, also ADV after v
A small voice called from within. `Yes, just coming.'
2 prep Something that happens or exists within a society, organization, or system, happens or exists inside it.
(=in)
...the spirit of self-sacrifice within an army..., Within criminal law almost anything could be defined as `crime'.
Within is also an adverb., adv usu from ADV, also ADV after v
The Church of England, with threats of split from within, has still to make up its mind.
3 prep If you experience a particular feeling, you can say that it is within you.
LITERARY PREP pron
(=in)
He's coping much better within himself...
4 prep If something is within a particular limit or set of rules, it does not go beyond it or is not more than what is allowed.
Troops have agreed to stay within specific boundaries to avoid confrontations..., Exercise within your comfortable limit...
5 prep If you are within a particular distance of a place, you are less than that distance from it.
The man was within a few feet of him..., It was within easy walking distance of the hotel...
6 prep Within a particular length of time means before that length of time has passed.
PREP amount
About 40% of all students entering as freshmen graduate within 4 years..., Within 24 hours the deal was completed.
7 prep If something is within sight, within earshot, or within reach, you can see it, hear it, or reach it., (Antonym: out of)
His twenty-five-foot boat was moored within sight of West Church., ...her heels clicking on the tiled floor, probably an irritating noise to other people within earshot...
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within reason
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reason
