every other

phrase

1
: all those that are different or separate from the person or thing that has already been mentioned
It's a problem that's affecting this town and every other one in the state.
2
used to say that some repeated activity, event, etc., alternately happens and does not happen in consecutive named periods
I run every other day.
The contest is held every other year.

Cite this Entry

“Every other.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/every%20other. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster