for

preposition

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\ fər, (ˈ)fȯr

, Southern also (ˈ)fär \

Definition of for

(Entry 1 of 5)

1a —used as a function word to indicate purposea grant for studying medicine

b —used as a function word to indicate an intended goalleft for homeacted for the best

c —used as a function word to indicate the object or recipient of a perception, desire, or activitynow for a good restrun for your lifean eye for a bargain

2a : as being or constituting taken for a fool eggs for breakfast

b —used as a function word to indicate an actual or implied enumeration or selectionfor one thing, the price is too high

3 : because of can't sleep for the heat

4 —used as a function word to indicate suitability or fitnessit is not for you to chooseready for action

5a : in place of go to the store for me

b(1) : on behalf of : representing speaks for the court

(2) : in favor of all for the plan

6 : in spite of —usually used with allfor all his large size, he moves gracefully

7 : with respect to : concerning a stickler for detail heavy for its size

8a —used as a function word to indicate equivalence in exchange$10 for a hat , equality in number or quantitypoint for point , or correspondence or correlationfor every one that works, you'll find five that don't

b —used as a function word to indicate number of attempts0 for 4

9 —used as a function word to indicate duration of time or extent of spacegone for two days

10 : in honor of : after named for her grandmother

for

conjunction

Definition of for (Entry 2 of 5)

: for the reason that : on this ground : because

for

abbreviation (1)

Definition of for (Entry 3 of 5)

1 foreign

2 forestry

FOR

abbreviation (2)

Definition of FOR (Entry 4 of 5)

free on rail

for-

prefix

Definition of for- (Entry 5 of 5)

1 : so as to involve prohibition, exclusion, omission, failure, neglect, or refusal forbid

2 : destructively or detrimentally fordo

3 : completely : excessively : to exhaustion : to pieces forspent

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about for

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Examples of for in a Sentence

Conjunction the bill should be listed as paid, for I mailed it in on time

Recent Examples on the Web: Preposition Add the salmon flesh-side down and sear for 4 minutes per side. — Justin Phillips, SFChronicle.com, "Bay Area salmon season is in full swing for home cooks but uncertain for fishers," 13 July 2020 Tuberville spoke for 10 minutes this morning as a guest on a Montgomery talk radio program. — Mike Cason | Mcason@al.com, al, "Alabama Senate campaign down to last day for Sessions, Tuberville," 13 July 2020 Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 5 minutes, flipping once midway through. — ExpressNews.com, "Recipe: Grilled Fruit Skewers with Chile Lime Vinaigrette," 13 July 2020 Cook for 20-25 minutes, rotating the sheet halfway through. — cleveland, "Ice cream toppings to help you chill out this summer," 13 July 2020 Also, businesses can make reasonable modifications for people with disabilities — including curbside pickup, offering appointments and face shields instead of face masks, the Southeast ADA Center in Atlanta has said. — Joel Shannon, USA TODAY, "Some Americans refuse to mask up. Rules, fines and free masks will change that, experts say.," 13 July 2020 It should also be noted that all patients during the COVID-19 pandemic tested negative for the illness. — Leah Groth, Health.com, "'Broken Heart Syndrome' Has Increased During COVID-19 Pandemic, New Study Says," 13 July 2020 Floyd died in May after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes. — Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin school board member asked to resign after posting that 'George Floyd is drug free for 2 months'," 12 July 2020 Quite amazing the resources out there for people in our boat (hahaha BUS). — Sarah Shun-lien Bynum, The New Yorker, "Many a Little Makes," 12 July 2020

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