1
: near a center of activity and especially a city
close-in suburbs
2
: occurring or designed for use within a narrowly limited area
close-in fighting
close-in weapons
closed in; closing in; closes in
1
: to encircle closely and isolate
2
: to enshroud to such an extent as to preclude entrance or exit
the airport was closed in by the storm
1
: to gather in close all around with an oppressing or isolating effect
despair closed in on her
2
: to approach to close quarters especially for an attack, raid, or arrest
the police closed in
3
: to grow dark
the short November day was already closing in—
Ellen Glasgow
Ellen GlasgowExamples of close-in in a Sentence
Verb
the eagle closed in on its prey
with evening closing in we knew we had to find shelter fairly soon
Recent Examples on the Web
Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
At a handful of locations, these spikes extended out to nearly a meter, looking more like lances than anything needed to ward off a close-in attack.
—ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2025
Multiple Republicans confirmed there is no concrete proposal working its way around Capitol Hill, beyond Trump’s initial comments floating billions of dollars in spending on close-in areas from the White House and the Capitol.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2025
For those looking for a more urban experience, North Beach or McGee Beach offers a close-in getaway.
—Gabi De La Rosa, Southern Living, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for close-in
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Adjective
Participants and bystanders can read close-in aerial maneuvers and radar warnings in various ways.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
At a handful of locations, these spikes extended out to nearly a meter, looking more like lances than anything needed to ward off a close-in attack.
—ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2025
Multiple Republicans confirmed there is no concrete proposal working its way around Capitol Hill, beyond Trump’s initial comments floating billions of dollars in spending on close-in areas from the White House and the Capitol.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2025
For those looking for a more urban experience, North Beach or McGee Beach offers a close-in getaway.
—Gabi De La Rosa, Southern Living, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for close-in
Cite this Entry
“Close-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/close-in. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
close in
verb
: to gather in close all around with an oppressing effect
despair closed in on her
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