amid

preposition \ ə-ˈmid \

variants: or amidst play \-ˈmidst, -ˈmitst\

|Updated on: 11 Aug 2018

Examples: amid in a Sentence

Definition of amid

1 : in or into the middle of : surrounded by : among

amid the crowd

2 a : during

amid the fighting

b : with the accompaniment of

resigned amid rumors of misconduct

See amid defined for English-language learners

See amid defined for kids

Examples of amid in a Sentence

It was hard to hear amid all the cheering.
The investigation comes amid growing concerns.
Amid such changes, one thing stayed the same.
He managed to escape amid the confusion.
There was a single dark bird amid a flock of white pigeons.

Recent Examples of amid from the Web

The move came amid the U.S. Department of Justice’s review of the agency after the death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old Baltimore man who died of injuries suffered while in police custody.

— talia richman, baltimoresun.com, "'I only ever wanted justice,' says 18-year-old allegedly assaulted by Baltimore officer," 14 July 2018
The first lady’s appearance came amid her return to the international stage after she was hospitalized in May for a kidney surgery and dropped out of sight for nearly a month.

— sylvia hui, BostonGlobe.com, "Melania Trump dutifully tries her hand at lawn bowling," 13 July 2018
Johnson’s announcement came amid a brewing backlash against plans to have actress Scarlett Johansson portray a transgender man.

— Washington Post, "‘The Rock’ joining group that champions rights for disabled," 13 July 2018
The announcement comes amid a flurry of real estate projects proposed along the Chicago River on the North Side, including developer Sterling Bay’s more than 70-acre Lincoln Yards development on adjacent parcels.

— ryan ori, chicagotribune.com, "General Iron to sell North Side land site, move out in 2020," 13 July 2018
The first lady's appearance came amid her return to the international stage after she was hospitalized in May for a kidney surgery and dropped out of sight for nearly a month.

— sylvia hui, Fox News, "Melania Trump dutifully tries her hand at lawn bowls," 13 July 2018
Media: Wochit Exxon's departure comes amid a corporate exodus by the likes of Ford Motor Co. and Expedia Group Inc. departed, largely in response to ALEC's positions on climate rules, renewable energy and other issues.

— kevin crowley and ari natter, Houston Chronicle, "Exxon quits Koch-backed business group after climate change disagreement," 13 July 2018
This year’s Emmy nominations come amid a summer of great transition in the television industry.

— meg james, latimes.com, "Netflix nudges past HBO to top Emmy nominations list with 112," 12 July 2018
Aldi’s expansion plan comes amid a separate $1.6 billion plan to remodel 1,300 stores by 2020.

— katherine peralta, charlotteobserver, "Low-cost German grocer to open two more Charlotte-area stores," 11 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'amid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of amid

amid from Middle English amidde, from Old English onmiddan, from on + middan, dative of midde mid; amidst from Middle English amiddes, from amidde + -es -s

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year