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 An Ohio man who overran police lines and became one of the first rioters to enter the Capitol will be set free six months into a 19-month term. Spencer S. Hsu, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024 But when Lenoir summoned a locksmith Saturday around 3 p.m. to change the locks, police added, Dawkins got into an argument with Lenoir. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2024 Originally configured with three bedrooms and three bathrooms, there are now just two bedrooms, as one was converted into a spacious dressing room within the primary suite. Mark David, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024 Don’t go into a basement, or any room, if water covers the electrical outlets or if cords are submerged. Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2024 Hours after the explosion in Damascus last week, many of Israel’s almost 10 million people went into a panic: hearing pundits in the media predict a massive retaliation by Iran, Israelis stocked up on food and rushed to ATM’s to draw cash from their accounts in case of all-out war. Dan Raviv and Yossi Melman, TIME, 9 Apr. 2024 Funding includes $150,000 for a veterans affairs office, along with a push from District 2 Councilwoman Angela Whitfield-Calloway, who received pushback, to fund $2.5 million into the restoration the Merrill Fountain at Palmer Park, which could take about 18 months. Detroit Free Press, 9 Apr. 2024 The menu is divided into appetizers, salads, mains and desserts, and there are rotating global specials. The Arizona Republic, 9 Apr. 2024 The investigation into Giorgio Armani Operations Spa is part of a number of probes opened by the Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office into labor exploitation by large companies in transport, logistics, security services and other sectors, including the world of fashion. Pino Gagliardi, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'into.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near into

Cite this Entry

“Into.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/into. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

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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