during

preposition

dur·​ing ˈdu̇r-iŋ How to pronounce during (audio)
 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

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 New customers can take 40% off a new mattress during DreamCloud’s Black Friday sale. Malia Griggs, SELF, 24 Nov. 2023 Pick up any and all of these modern classics during Merit's Black Friday sale. Sarah Hoffmann, Allure, 24 Nov. 2023 More than 4,000 shoppers have recently picked up the Apple AirPods Max Headphones, which are $100 off during this sale. Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023 Ring Video Battery Doorbell Plus, $129 (was $170) Check everything off your shopping list during Walmart’s Black Friday sale, which has pieces to update your indoor and outdoor spaces. Allison Faccenda, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Nov. 2023 They're discounted during most deals holidays, including right now, as part of Black Friday deals. Medea Giordano, WIRED, 24 Nov. 2023 The Merrell Men’s Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot is on sale right now for $70, as well as the Merrell Women’s Moab 3 Hiking Shoe for only $50 — both of which were a favorite during our editor tests. Hillary Maglin, Travel + Leisure, 24 Nov. 2023 Errors are corrected during the press run whenever possible, so some errors noted here may not have appeared in all editions. New York Times, 12 Nov. 2023 Five American service members were killed during a training exercise Sunday after a military aircraft crashed into the Mediterranean Sea. Angela Yang, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'during.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of during was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near during

Cite this Entry

“During.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/during. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

during

preposition
dur·​ing ˌd(y)u̇r-iŋ How to pronounce during (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on during

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!