midst

noun

ˈmidst 

ˈmitst

1

: the interior or central part or point : middle

in the midst of the forest

2

: a position of proximity to the members of a group

a traitor in our midst

3

: the condition of being surrounded or beset

in the midst of his troubles

4

: a period of time about the middle of a continuing act or condition

in the midst of a meal

midst preposition

Synonyms

• middle
• center

Examples of midst in a Sentence

The river passes through the midst of the city.

a bustling city in the midst of the desert

We are in the midst of a terrible war.

They were in the midst of remodeling their house.

The region is currently in the midst of a terrible drought.

We never gave up hope in the midst of our troubles.

Recent Examples on the Web

Foster, who was drafted in the 16th round by the Angels in 2023, was named the Northwest League player of the month on Thursday and was in the midst of a career season. —Sam Blum, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025

In a 2021 article written in the midst of the chaos of the pandemic, philosopher Marcelo Vieira Lopes argues that one way to discuss these changes is as loss of trust. —Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 5 Sep. 2025

In the midst of their journey, Julian falls ill, and the story’s tone shifts. —Daniel D'addario, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025

Revised figures also show there was also a net loss of jobs in June for the first time since 2020, in the midst of the pandemic. —Scott Horsley, NPR, 5 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English middest, alteration of middes, short for amiddes amid

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing midst

• in someone's midst

Rhymes for midst

• didst
• amidst

Kids Definition

midst

1 of 2 noun

ˈmidst

1

: the middle part or period

in the midst of the forest

2

: a condition of being near or among the members of a group

a traitor in our midst

3

: the condition of being surrounded

in the midst of our troubles

midst

2 of 2 preposition

(ˌ)midst

: amid