internal

Of or situated on the inside.

Adjective

  1. Of or situated on the inside.
    • We saw the internal compartments of the machine.

    1. (medicine) Within the body.

      • Her bleeding was internal.

    2. Concerned with the domestic affairs of a nation, state or other political community.

      • The nation suffered from internal conflicts.
      • the minister of internal affairs

    3. Concerned with the non-public affairs of a company or other organisation.

      • An internal investigation was conducted.

    4. (biology) Present or arising within an organism or one of its parts.

      • an internal stimulus

    5. (pharmacology) Applied or intended for application through the stomach by being swallowed.

      • an internal remedy
  2. Experienced in one's mind; inner rather than expressed.
    • internal feelings
  3. Of the inner nature of a thing.

    Synonyms: intrinsic inherent

  4. Attending a university as well as taking its examinations.

Origin

From Middle English internall, internalle, borrowing from New Latin internālis (“of or pertaining to the inner part”), from internus (“inward, internal”) + -ālis (“-al”, adjectival suffix). By surface analysis, intern + -al.

Forms

more internal most internal internall

Synonyms

inner inly interior intern interne

Antonyms

external exterior

Derived

anterointernal antero-internal complete internal reflection dorsointernal internal acoustic meatus internal affairs internal angle internal auditory artery internal auditory canal internal auditory meatus internal carotid artery internal carotid plexus internal combustion internal combustion engine internal condom internal conflict internal diameter internal ear internal energy internal exclusion internal exile internal fertilization internal genitalia internal iliac artery