during

preposition

dur·​ing ˈdu̇r-iŋ How to pronounce during (audio)
 also  ˈdyu̇r-
1
: throughout the duration of
swims every day during the summer
2
: at a point in the course of
was offered a job during a visit to the capital

Examples of during in a Sentence

She swims every day during the summer. We got along well during the trip. He worked in the field during most of the day. During the interview, they asked about my previous jobs. The fire alarm went off during the ceremony.
Recent Examples on the Web San Diego is projected to collect $374 million in sales tax revenue during fiscal year 2024, which ends in June. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2024 The 9-1-1 star, 65, appeared on Wednesday's episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and reacted to a video of Keke Palmer doing her best impression of Bassett during a November 2021 appearance on the late-night show. Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2024 Another drop in sentiment followed during peak inflation prices. Abha Bhattarai, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 Historic trial leads to acquittal, firing More than 20 years ago, Zani made front page headlines during his tenure as a Detroit cop. Andrea May Sahouri, Detroit Free Press, 16 Mar. 2024 This gentle lamb was abandoned by its mother, who went into premature labor during a coyote attack. Rita Nader Heikenfeld, The Enquirer, 16 Mar. 2024 Elections staffers have been harassed, and during a June 2022 election, someone hung a trail camera — the kind hunters use to track wildlife — in the alley behind the registrar’s office. Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2024 The Lohan-Curtis version is the most commercially successful take, earning $160 million at the box office during its 2003 release. Daniel S. Levine, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024 Justices, conservative and liberal, seemed to fear in letting states decide to disqualify a national candidate on the grounds of Section 3 without clear federal legislation during oral arguments in February. Gillian Brassil, Sacramento Bee, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'during.' 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 present participle of duren to last, from Anglo-French durer, from Latin durare to harden, endure, last, from durus hard; perhaps akin to Sanskrit dāru wood — more at tree entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of during was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near during

Cite this Entry

“During.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/during. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

during

preposition
dur·​ing ˌd(y)u̇r-iŋ How to pronounce during (audio)
1
: throughout the course of
swims every day during the summer
2
: at some time in the course of
you may call me during the day

More from Merriam-Webster on during

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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