1
a(1)
—used as a function word to indicate movement into at one side or point and out at another and especially the opposite side of
drove a nail through the board
(2)
: by way of
left through the door
(3)
—used as a function word to indicate passage from one end or boundary to another
a highway through the forest
a road through the desert
(4)
: without stopping for : past
drove through a red light
b
—used as a function word to indicate passage into and out of a treatment, handling, or process
the matter has already passed through her hands
2
—used as a function word to indicate means, agency, or intermediacy: such as
a
: by means of : by the agency of
b
: because of
failed through ignorance
c
: by common descent from or relationship with
related through their grandfather
3
a
: over the whole surface or extent of : throughout
homes scattered through the valley
b
—used as a function word to indicate movement within a large expanse
flew through the air
c
—used as a function word to indicate exposure to a specified set of conditions
put him through hell
4
—used as a function word to indicate a period of time: such as
a
: during the entire period of
all through her life
b
: from the beginning to the end of
the tower stood through the earthquake
c
: to and including
Monday through Friday
5
a
—used as a function word to indicate completion or exhaustion
got through the book
went through the money in a year
b
—used as a function word to indicate acceptance or approval especially by an official body
got the bill through the legislature
1
: from one end or side to the other
2
a
: from beginning to end
b
: to completion, conclusion, or accomplishment
see it through
3
: to the core : completely
soaked through
4
: into the open : out
break through
2
3
a
: initiated at and destined for points outside a local zone
through traffic
b(1)
: going from point of origin to destination without change or reshipment
a through train
(2)
: of or relating to such movement
a through ticket
Synonyms
Examples of through in a Sentence
Preposition
He hit the nail through the wood.
She looked through the binoculars.
The bullet had gone through his hand.
He just walked through the door.
The security guards pushed their way through the crowd.
She could see a figure through the fog.
I looked through the window.
Adverb
Let these people go through, please.
The nail went completely through.
It snowed heavily, but we made it through.
We'll never get through—the mud is too deep.
The package was shipped through to New Orleans.
Read the essay through and tell me what you think.
Adjective
When the police were through with him, a taxi took him, his suitcase, the homburg funeral hat, in the other direction …
—
Annie Proulx, Atlantic, November 1997
I tell him I like fanzines. This one's mad, he says, really mad. I can borrow it when he's through.
—Lynne Tillman, Motion Sickness, 1991
Today though, once experience shows on a woman's face, she's through.
—Patricia Volk, New Woman, November 1990
I'm not through yet. I have one more topic to discuss.
If you're through using the phone, I'd like to use it next.
Is this a through road?
The left lane is for through traffic only.
Annie Proulx, Atlantic, November 1997
I tell him I like fanzines. This one's mad, he says, really mad. I can borrow it when he's through.
—Lynne Tillman, Motion Sickness, 1991
Today though, once experience shows on a woman's face, she's through.
—Patricia Volk, New Woman, November 1990
I'm not through yet. I have one more topic to discuss.
If you're through using the phone, I'd like to use it next.
Is this a through road?
The left lane is for through traffic only.
Recent Examples on the WebMiami Herald, 7 Apr. 2024
Some high clouds may blur the show a bit in western-most New England (the Berkshires up through Vermont).
—Eric Henderson, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2024
The only way to watch WrestleMania XL online is through a Peacock subscription.
—Rudie Obias, Variety, 6 Apr. 2024
The installation was completed by Pacific Landscape, contracted through Armstrong Garden Centers, in May 2022.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024
Officials said the burglars appeared to enter through the roof.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
Certain quotes can inspire and remind you to live life to the fullest and persevere through whatever challenges come your way.
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024
Wayfair’s 5 Days of Deals sale lasts through April 9, but popular and deeply discounted items are flying off the virtual shelves.
—Rachel Trujillo, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2024
Business hours are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday through Sunday.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 25 Mar. 2024
Journal Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2024
Everyone involved took a moment of pause after the shaking stopped, Allen said, as his doctor had only been about midway through when the quake occurred.
—USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024
Areas from the Southern Plains to the mid-Atlantic and much of the north-central US
Thin, high-level clouds
High level clouds are thin and wispy and can cover much of the sky but still let plenty of light through.
—Mary Gilbert, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
Today looks to be more consistent with multiple waves of showers and storms moving through during the day before diminishing tonight.
—Dan Stillman, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024
But now that only locals are allowed through, peak season for camping has come to an abrupt halt.
—Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024
They were never developed to do this like you guys are going through.
—Fortune Editors, Fortune, 27 Mar. 2024
Reheat leftovers in a 300-degree F oven or in the microwave, until hot all the way through.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 26 Mar. 2024
These facilities adopted the thermae style of communal bathing, with multiple rooms to move through, while adding distinct aspects of Islamic tradition.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 26 Mar. 2024
Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Feb. 2024
On a recent drive through the area, cars were parked in the bus-only lane, while other vehicles blocked a through-lane on Pennsylvania Avenue.
—Courtland Milloy, Washington Post, 16 May 2023
When facing hard challenges, the only way out is through, and the best way through is to be informed and awake.
—Paul Buccieri, Variety, 16 Feb. 2023
The plan is to maintain the rural property, with its creeks, grassy hills and oak woodlands, in its current, largely natural state and eventually build a through-trail for hikers.
—Kurtis Alexander, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Apr. 2023
But with anything in life, the only way is through.
—Alexis Jones, Peoplemag, 29 Mar. 2023
Anthony latched onto a through ball with three minutes left in double overtime, beat two Moeller defenders and slotted home the winning goal to send the Eagles to their first state appearance in school history.
—Brendan Connelly, The Enquirer, 10 Nov. 2022
Pomykal played a through ball into the box as Ferreira started his run.
—Jon Arnold, Dallas News, 24 July 2022
The Pride had a scoring opportunity in the 16th minute on a defense-splitting run from forward Darian Jenkins, who was targeted by midfielder Erika Tymrak with a through ball into the penalty area.
—Wire Reports, Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2022
Preposition
Bobrovsky made several strong saves midway through the second to keep the game tied, including a cross-crease pad stop on Morgan Geekie, who corralled a Brad Marchand pass in the right circle.
—Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2024
Some high clouds may blur the show a bit in western-most New England (the Berkshires up through Vermont).
—Eric Henderson, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2024
The only way to watch WrestleMania XL online is through a Peacock subscription.
—Rudie Obias, Variety, 6 Apr. 2024
The installation was completed by Pacific Landscape, contracted through Armstrong Garden Centers, in May 2022.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024
Officials said the burglars appeared to enter through the roof.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
Certain quotes can inspire and remind you to live life to the fullest and persevere through whatever challenges come your way.
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024
Wayfair’s 5 Days of Deals sale lasts through April 9, but popular and deeply discounted items are flying off the virtual shelves.
—Rachel Trujillo, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2024
Business hours are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday through Sunday.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 25 Mar. 2024
Adverb
But there was still a simmering intensity to Sohn’s musicianship that heartily won over the crowd before her half-hour was through.
—Journal Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2024
Everyone involved took a moment of pause after the shaking stopped, Allen said, as his doctor had only been about midway through when the quake occurred.
—USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024
Areas from the Southern Plains to the mid-Atlantic and much of the north-central US
Thin, high-level clouds
High level clouds are thin and wispy and can cover much of the sky but still let plenty of light through.
—Mary Gilbert, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
Today looks to be more consistent with multiple waves of showers and storms moving through during the day before diminishing tonight.
—Dan Stillman, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024
But now that only locals are allowed through, peak season for camping has come to an abrupt halt.
—Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024
They were never developed to do this like you guys are going through.
—Fortune Editors, Fortune, 27 Mar. 2024
Reheat leftovers in a 300-degree F oven or in the microwave, until hot all the way through.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 26 Mar. 2024
These facilities adopted the thermae style of communal bathing, with multiple rooms to move through, while adding distinct aspects of Islamic tradition.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 26 Mar. 2024
Adjective
But that’s the universal struggle and the only way is through.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Feb. 2024
On a recent drive through the area, cars were parked in the bus-only lane, while other vehicles blocked a through-lane on Pennsylvania Avenue.
—Courtland Milloy, Washington Post, 16 May 2023
When facing hard challenges, the only way out is through, and the best way through is to be informed and awake.
—Paul Buccieri, Variety, 16 Feb. 2023
The plan is to maintain the rural property, with its creeks, grassy hills and oak woodlands, in its current, largely natural state and eventually build a through-trail for hikers.
—Kurtis Alexander, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Apr. 2023
But with anything in life, the only way is through.
—Alexis Jones, Peoplemag, 29 Mar. 2023
Anthony latched onto a through ball with three minutes left in double overtime, beat two Moeller defenders and slotted home the winning goal to send the Eagles to their first state appearance in school history.
—Brendan Connelly, The Enquirer, 10 Nov. 2022
Pomykal played a through ball into the box as Ferreira started his run.
—Jon Arnold, Dallas News, 24 July 2022
The Pride had a scoring opportunity in the 16th minute on a defense-splitting run from forward Darian Jenkins, who was targeted by midfielder Erika Tymrak with a through ball into the penalty area.
—Wire Reports, Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'through.' 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
Preposition, Adverb, and Adjective
Middle English thurh, thruh, through, from Old English thurh; akin to Old High German durh through, Latin trans across, beyond, Sanskrit tarati he crosses over
First Known Use
Preposition
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)
Adverb
before the 13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of through was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing through
Articles Related to through
Dictionary Entries Near through
Cite this Entry
“Through.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/through. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
through
1 of 3 preposition1
a
: in at one side and out at the opposite side of
drove through the town
b
: by way of
left through the window
c
: in the midst of : among
a path through the trees
d
: without stopping for
drove through a red light
2
a
: by means of
succeeded through hard work
b
: because of
failed through lack of planning
3
: over the whole of
all through the country
4
a
: from the beginning to the end of : during
worked through the summer
b
: to and including
Monday through Friday
5
a
: to a point of completion or exhaustion in
got through the book
b
: to a state of official acceptance or approval
got the bill through the legislature
through
2 of 3 adverbˈthrü
1
a
: from one end or side to the other
let these people go through, please
b
: over the whole distance
shipped through to Des Moines
2
a
: from beginning to end
read the book through at one sitting
b
: to completion, conclusion, or accomplishment
see the job through
3
: in or to every part : completely
wet through
4
: into the open : out
break through
through
3 of 3 adjectiveˈthrü
1
: allowing free or continuous passage
a through road
2
: going from point of origin to destination without changes or transfers
a through train
3
: coming from and going to points outside a local area
a lane for through traffic only
4
: having reached the end
is through with the job
More from Merriam-Webster on through
Nglish: Translation of through for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of through for Arabic Speakers
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