within

with|in

W1S2 [wıðˈın US wıðˈın, wıθˈın] prep, adv

[: Old English; Origin: withinnan]

1.)

a) before a certain period of time has passed

▪ We should have the test results back within 24 hours.

▪ He fell sick and died within a matter of weeks.

▪ Within an hour of our arrival Caroline was starting to complain.

b) during a certain period of time

▪ the enormous success of televised sport within the last twenty years

▪ Within the space of a year, three of the town's factories have closed down.

2.) less than a certain distance from a particular place

▪ The invading troops came within 50 miles of Paris.

▪ Within a five mile radius of Ollerton there are several pubs and restaurants.

▪ We live within easy reach of (=close to) the shops.

▪ Adjust the driver's seat so that all the controls are within reach (=close enough to touch) .

within sight/earshot (of sth)

(=close enough to see or hear)

▪ As she came within sight of the house, she saw two men getting out of a car.

3.) inside a particular building or area

≠ ↑outside

▪ Prisoners who died were buried within the walls of the prison.

▪ public footpaths within the national park

▪ The rooms within were richly furnished.

apply/enquire within

(=used on notices on the outside of buildings)

▪ Baby rabbits for sale. Enquire within.

4.) inside a society, organization, or group of people

≠ ↑outside

▪ There have been a lot of changes within the department since I joined.

▪ an attempt to reform the system from within

5.) if something stays within a particular limit or set of rules, it does not go beyond that limit

▪ We have to operate within a very tight budget.

▪ Private security firms have to work strictly within the law.

▪ You can go anywhere you want within reason (=within reasonable limits) .

6.) literary or formal inside a person's body or mind

≠ ↑outside

▪ Elaine felt a pain deep within her.

▪ I'm feeling more relaxed within myself.