during

preposition

dur·​ing ˈdu̇r-iŋ 

also ˈdyu̇r-

1

: throughout the duration of

swims every day during the summer

2

: at a point in the course of

was offered a job during a visit to the capital

Synonyms of during

• throughout
• by

Examples of during in a Sentence

She swims every day during the summer.

We got along well during the trip.

He worked in the field during most of the day.

During the interview, they asked about my previous jobs.

The fire alarm went off during the ceremony.

Recent Examples on the Web

These crimes doubled from 2014 to 2024 with one category, discharging a firearm, having more than tripled during that time, the stats show. — Mark Morales, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026

Ships would cross the strait without paying fees or tolls during the interim period. — ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026

Tunsil suffered the injury early in practice, during one-on-ones between offensive and defensive linemen. — Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026

There were more hip-hop moments during the show when JOP brought out Bobby Shmurda and Shoreline Mafia’s Fenix Flexin. — Lucas Villa, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from present participle of duren to last, from Anglo-French durer, from Latin durare to harden, endure, last, from durus hard; perhaps akin to Sanskrit dāru wood — more at tree entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for during

• curing
• luring
• mooring
• touring
• alluring
• assuring
• contouring
• enduring
• ensuring
• insuring
• manuring
• maturing

Kids Definition

during

preposition

dur·​ing ˌd(y)u̇r-iŋ 

1

: throughout the course of

swims every day during the summer

2

: at some time in the course of

you may call me during the day