during
DYOOR-rihng
During (prep) means Throughout the whole of a period of time. Example: “The baby slept soundly during the whole of the long car journey.”
prep
1
Throughout the whole of a period of time.
"The baby slept soundly during the whole of the long car journey."
"The lights flickered during the entire storm."
"She stayed silent during the meeting."
2
At some point within a period of time.
"My neighbour dropped round some eggs during the morning, while I was out."
"He called twice during the afternoon."
"The alarm went off during the night."
How to use during
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHappening at some time inside a period, or continuously across all of it.
Common mistake
Use "during" with a noun phrase ("during the film"), not a clause — for a clause use "while" ("while the film was playing," not "during the film was playing").
Common pairings
during the day
during the war
during this time
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Etymology
From Middle English during, originally the present participle of the verb duren ("to last, to continue") — the same root as "endure."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for during
curing
luring
Turing
touring
pouring
ensuring
scouring
alluring
figuring
enduring
assuring
measuring
See all rhymes for during →
Frequently asked questions
What does “during” mean?
The word “during” means throughout the whole of a period of time. In plain terms, happening at some time inside a period, or continuously across all of it.
How do you pronounce “during”?
“During” is pronounced DYOOR-rihng (/ˈdjʊə.ɹɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “during” in a sentence?
Here is “during” used in a sentence: “The lights flickered during the entire storm.”
What part of speech is “during”?
“During” is a preposition.
Where does the word “during” come from?
The word “during” comes from Middle English. From Middle English during, originally the present participle of the verb duren ("to last, to continue") — the same root as "endure.".
Is “during” a common word?
“During” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “during” have?
“During” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: throughout the whole of a period of time.
What is the difference between 'during' and 'while'?
'During' is a preposition and is followed by a noun — 'during the film,' 'during dinner.' 'While' is a conjunction and is followed by a subject and verb — 'while the film played,' 'while we ate.' Both express something happening at the same time, but the grammar that follows them differs.
What is the difference between 'during' and 'for'?
'During' tells you when something happens, within a named period — 'she woke up during the night.' 'For' tells you how long it lasts — 'she slept for eight hours.' Use 'during' with a specific event or span, and 'for' with a length of time. They answer different questions.
What is an example of 'during'?
'We stayed inside during the storm' places the action within the whole period the storm lasted. 'He fell asleep during the lecture' works the same way. In each, 'during' spans a named stretch of time and locates the event somewhere inside it.
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