and

1 of 2

conjunction

ən(d), 

(ˈ)an(d) 

usually ᵊn(d)

after t,

d,

s

or z;

often ᵊm

after p

or b;

sometimes ᵊŋ

after k

or g

1

—used as a function word to indicate connection or addition especially of items within the same class or type

—used to join sentence elements of the same grammatical rank or function

2

a

—used as a function word to express logical modification, consequence, antithesis, or supplementary explanation

b

—used as a function word to join one finite verb (such as go, come, try) to another so that together they are logically equivalent to an infinitive of purpose

come and see me

3

obsolete : if

4

—used in logic to form a conjunction

see also:

and so forth and so on

Usage of and

Well-written English sentences have begun with and since the language's earliest documentation. Though there are times when it would be ill-advised to begin a sentence with the word, there are also times when it is perfectly appropriate.

AND

2 of 2

noun

ˈand 

: a logical operator that requires both of two inputs to be present or two conditions to be met for an output to be made or a statement to be executed

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you start a sentence with and?

It's perfectly acceptable to begin a sentence with and, as well as with other words that we are often taught to avoid at the start of a sentence, such as but and or. Examples of sentence-initial and date back more than 1,000 years.

What type of word is and?

And is a conjunction, and in particular a coordinating conjunction. Conjunctions are words that join together other words or groups of words, and coordinating conjunctions specifically connect words, phrases, and clauses that are of equal importance in the sentence. The other common coordinating conjunctions are or and but.

What does and mean in an address?

When and is used in describing locations, it indicates a point where two streets meet or cross. For example, in "I live at Third and Main," the and indicates that the speaker lives close to where Third Street and Main Street meet or cross.

Examples of and in a Sentence

Conjunction

2 and 2 equals 4.

Word History

Etymology

Conjunction

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German unti and

First Known Use

Conjunction

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1947, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for and

• bund
• fund
• gunned
• hund
• mund
• shunned
• stunned
• fecund
• refund
• rotund
• secund

Kids Definition

and

conjunction

ən(d) 

(ˈ)an(d)

1

: added to

2 and 2 make 4

2

: as well as

—used to join words or word groups

ice cream and cake

strong and healthy

swerved and avoided an accident