during

/ˈdʊrɪŋ/
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Within the time occupied by a period, activity, or event.

Examples

  • Please stay seated during the flight.
  • A guest arrived during the second half.
  • She worked from home during the strike.
  • The road remains busy during the summer.
  • She called me during my break.

Similar words

throughout
in the course of
in the course of
in

Meanings

Throughout a period

preposition
time
neutral
For the whole of a named period, activity, or event, or repeatedly across it.

Examples

  • Please stay seated during the flight.
  • No one spoke during dinner.
  • The road remains busy during the summer.
  • Phones must be silent during the exam.
  • She worked from home during the strike.

Similar words

At a point within a period

preposition
time
neutral
At one or more unspecified moments inside a named period, activity, or event.

Examples

  • It rained during the night.
  • She called me during my break.
  • The alarm sounded during the meeting.
  • I woke twice during the journey.
  • A guest arrived during the second half.

Similar words

Etymology

From Middle English during, originally the present participle of duren, “to last or continue.” It became a preposition meaning within the time that something lasts.

FAQ

What does during mean?

During places something within the time of a period, activity, or event, either throughout it or at a point inside it.

What comes after during?

During is a preposition, so it is followed by a noun or noun phrase, such as during the meeting.

What is the difference between during and while?

During is followed by a noun phrase. While normally introduces a clause with a subject and verb: during the meal, but while we ate.

Does during mean the whole time?

It can. Context decides whether something lasts throughout the period or happens at one point within it.

Can during be used before a year?

Yes, when the year is treated as a period in which something happened, as in during 2025. In 2025 is usually simpler.

How do you pronounce during?

During is pronounced /ˈdʊrɪŋ/.

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