within

withinpreposition

Within means inside a limit: inside a length of time, a distance, a range of what is allowed or possible, or a place or group.

1. timebefore the end of a period of time

   • Please reply within seven days.
   • The package should arrive within a week.
   • Within minutes, the room was full.

   Collocations

   phrase within minutes, within hours, within a week, within the next few days

   Compare in (within a week means at any time before a week has passed; in a week usually means when a week has passed)

2. distancenot farther than a particular distance from something

   • The hotel is within walking distance of the beach.
   • Is there a bank within a mile of here?
   • We live within five minutes of the station.

   Collocations

   phrase within walking distance, within reach, within sight

3. limitsinside the limits or range of something

   • Try to stay within your budget.
   • You are acting within the law.
   • The answer is within reach.

   Collocations

   phrase within the law, within budget, within your rights, within reason

   Antonyms beyond; outside

4. insideinside a place, group, or thing

   Common with groups and organizations (within the company). With places, inside or in is more usual in everyday English.

   • There are problems within the company.
   • Changes are needed within the organization.
   • The rooms within the old walls stay cool in summer.

   Synonyms inside