during

preposition

dur·​ing ˈdu̇r-iŋ 

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

Synonyms of during

• throughout
• by

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

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange during morning trading on April 13, 2026 in New York City. —Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026

Two massage parlors in Flower Mound are closed after evidence of prostitution and possible victims of human trafficking were found during inspections in late March, officials said. —S.e. Jenkins, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026

Last summer, during the bombing campaign against Iran, the Islamic Republic retaliated against Israel with large waves of ballistic missiles. —Garrett M. Graff, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2026

Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court said in a statement on WeChat that Hui expressed remorse in court during a trial between Monday and Tuesday. —ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026

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

Rhymes for during

• curing
• luring
• mooring
• touring
• alluring
• assuring
• contouring
• enduring
• ensuring
• insuring
• manuring
• maturing

Kids Definition

during

preposition

dur·​ing ˌd(y)u̇r-iŋ 

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