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

Cousins’s presence means Mendoza likely won’t have to start right away, and will also have a veteran quarterback who can mentor him — not dissimilar to how Alex Smith started for the Chiefs during Patrick Mahomes’s rookie year. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026

Lomu, 21, didn’t allow a sack during his redshirt sophomore season at Utah. —Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026

Lemon was also the Trojans’ primary return man during his sophomore and junior seasons and was even used on a trick play against Oregon this season that resulted in a 24-yard touchdown pass to then-freshman Tanook Hines. —Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026

The strike closed schools during the first few days, but the district’s five campuses had since reopened — though union representatives have said few students returned to school. —Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 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