Definition of through
1 a (1)
—used as a function word to indicate movement into at one side or point and out at another and especially the opposite side of
- drove a nail through the board
(2)
: by way of
- left through the door
(3)
—used as a function word to indicate passage from one end or boundary to another
- a highway through the forest
- a road through the desert
(4)
: without stopping for : past
- drove through a red light
b
—used as a function word to indicate passage into and out of a treatment, handling, or process
- the matter has already passed through her hands
2
—used as a function word to indicate means, agency, or intermediacy: such as
a
: by means of : by the agency of
b
: because of
- failed through ignorance
c
: by common descent from or relationship with
- related through their grandfather
3 a
: over the whole surface or extent of : throughout
- homes scattered through the valley
b
—used as a function word to indicate movement within a large expanse
- flew through the air
c
—used as a function word to indicate exposure to a specified set of conditions
- put him through hell
4
—used as a function word to indicate a period of time: such as
a
: during the entire period of
- all through her life
b
: from the beginning to the end of
- the tower stood through the earthquake
c
: to and including
- Monday through Friday
5 a
—used as a function word to indicate completion or exhaustion
- got through the book
- went through the money in a year
b
—used as a function word to indicate acceptance or approval especially by an official body
- got the bill through the legislature
