during

preposition

dur·​ing ˈdu̇r-iŋ How to pronounce during (audio)
also ˈdyu̇r-
Synonyms of duringnext
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

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As a bonus, those seasons are ideal for planting a replacement shrub or re-establishing a lawn if it is damaged during the shrub removal. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 July 2026 Organizing the festival during wartime has given it a broader purpose, Isaienko said. — ABC News, 5 July 2026 Fear over airstrikes on Iran, which pervaded many conversations with locals during the war, has evaporated. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 5 July 2026 Coventry was a hotbed of anti-monarchist sentiment, and Benajah's role during the American Revolution was to spread the word that the British were on the march. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for during

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

Rhymes for during

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Browse Nearby Words

duricrust
during
durio
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Cite this Entry

“During.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/during. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of during for Spanish Speakers

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