into

preposition

in·​to ˈin-(ˌ)tü How to pronounce into (audio)
-tə
1
used as a function word to indicate entry, introduction, insertion, superposition, or inclusion
came into the house
enter into an alliance
2
: in the direction of
looking into the sun
3
: to a position of contact with : against
ran into a wall
4
a
: to the state, condition, or form of
got into trouble
b
: to the occupation, action, or possession of
go into farming
c
: involved with or interested in
into sports
not into her music
5
used as a function word to indicate a period of time or an extent of space part of which is passed or occupied
far into the night
6
used as a function word to indicate the dividend in division
dividing 3 into 6 gives 2

Examples of into in a Sentence

She came into the room. a medicine injected into the bloodstream Please put the bowl into the sink. They were heading into town. He jumped into the pool. She was just staring into space.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Yankees should be aiming higher than just landing an innings-eater that can help their rotation limp into the postseason. Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025 Nigel Farage, the leader of the right-wing Reform UK party, slammed the Conservative and Labour parties after it was revealed this week thousands of Afghan refugees were secretly resettled into the country without the public's knowledge. Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2025 Germany will go into their semi-final against Spain on Wednesday in Zurich as the underdogs. Michael Cox, New York Times, 20 July 2025 There’s a lot of money coming into the league over the next few years with a new 11-year media-rights deal worth more than $2.2 billion, three new expansion teams that each paid $250 million in fees and many new sponsors. Doug Feinberg, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for into

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English intō, from in entry 2 + to

First Known Use

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

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Into.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/into. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

into

preposition
in·​to ˈin-tə How to pronounce into (audio)
-tü
1
used to indicate entry, introduction, or inclusion
came into the room
enter into an agreement
2
a
: to the state, condition, or form of
got into trouble
divide into four parts
b
: to the occupation, action, or possession of
go into farming
3
: against sense 4
ran into a wall
4
: involved with or interested in
was never into abstract art

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