along

1 of 2

preposition

1
: in a line matching the length or direction of
walking along the road
also : at a point or points on
a house along the river
2
: in the course of
made stops along the way
3
: in accordance with : in
a new agreement along the lines of the first

along

2 of 2

adverb

1
: forward, on
move along
2
: from one to another
word was passed along
3
a
: in company : as a companion
brought his wife along
often used with with
walked to school along with her friends
b
: in association
used with with
work along with colleagues
4
a
: sometime within a specified or implied extent of time
usually used with about
along about July 17
b
: at or to an advanced point
plans are far along
5
: in addition : also
usually used with with
a bill came along with the package
6
: at hand : as a necessary or useful item
brought an extra one along
had his gun along
7
: on hand : there
tell him I'll be along to see him

Examples of along in a Sentence

Preposition We walked along the beach. The chairs were lined up along the wall. The ship sailed along the coast. We drove to Boston and we stopped along the way for lunch. Adverb We walked along beside the road. I was just walking along, minding my own business. The police told the people in the crowd to move along. We looked at the houses as we drove along. Plans for a new stadium are already pretty far along.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Preposition
The dress featured ruffle details throughout, mainly along the neckline, sleeves and skirt. Emma Aerin Becker, People.com, 2 Dec. 2024 Simply walk along Elizabeth Street away from the coach station and the transformation from urban streets to Belgravia’s pretty village high street takes just a couple of blocks. Michele Robson, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
Adverb
Some of the upgrades may be too far along to derail (the Douglass Tunnel among them) and Trump has spoken admiringly of China’s high-speed rail. Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 2 Dec. 2024 All the fans want to sing along, including Camila Cabello. Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 1 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for along 

Word History

Etymology

Preposition

Middle English, from Old English andlang, from and- against + lang long — more at ante-

First Known Use

Preposition

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

Adverb

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

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

Dictionary Entries Near along

Cite this Entry

“Along.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/along. Accessed 7 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

along

1 of 2 preposition
1
: in a line matching the length or direction of
walk along the beach
lined up along the wall
2
: at a point or points on
stopped along the way
3
: in accordance with
a new agreement along the lines of the first

along

2 of 2 adverb
1
: onward entry 1, forward
move along
2
: as a companion or associate
brought my best friend along
3
: in addition : also
the bill came along with the package
4
: at or on hand
had a camera along

More from Merriam-Webster on along

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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