from

preposition

ˈfrəm How to pronounce from (audio)
ˈfräm,
 also  fəm
1
a
used as a function word to indicate a starting point of a physical movement or a starting point in measuring or reckoning or in a statement of limits
came here from the city
a week from today
cost from $5 to $10
b
used as a function word to indicate the starting or focal point of an activity
called me from a pay phone
ran a business from her home
2
used as a function word to indicate physical separation or an act or condition of removal, abstention, exclusion, release, subtraction, or differentiation
protection from the sun
relief from anxiety
3
used as a function word to indicate the source, cause, agent, or basis
we conclude from this
a call from my lawyer
inherited a love of music from his father
worked hard from necessity

Examples of from in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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China today accounts for seven of the world’s largest indoor ski resorts – only SnowWorld Landgraaf in the Netherlands, Alpincenter Hamburg-Wittenberg in Germany and Ski Dubai in the UAE made the global top 10 from outside of China, according to the report. Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 Bowlan will go over different notes from the pitching staff and check in with his veteran teammates for advice on pitch selection and how to handle high-leverage situations. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025 Deputies say the shooting took place in the area of Northwest 16th Avenue and 74th Street, around a mile and a half from the station. Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025 As a result of the one-off costs, the company said its now expect full-year operating profit growth of 4% to 10% at constant exchange rates, down from the 10% to 16% outlined in its second-quarter results in August. Karen Gilchrist,katrina Bishop, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for from

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English from, fram; akin to Old High German fram, adverb, forth, away, Old English faran to go — more at fare

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of from was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“From.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/from. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

from

preposition
(ˈ)frəm How to pronounce from (audio)
ˈfräm
1
used to show a starting or central point
came here from the city
a letter from home
ran a business from home
2
used to show removal or separation
the dictator fell from power
subtract 3 from 9
far from safe
3
used to show a material, source, or cause
a doll made from rags
reading aloud from a book
suffering from a cold

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