during

American  

[door-ing, dyoor-] / ˈdʊər ɪŋ, ˈdyʊər- /

preposition

1. throughout the duration, continuance, or existence of.

   He lived in Florida during the winter.

2. at some time or point in the course of.

   They departed during the night.

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during British  

/ ˈdjʊərɪŋ /

preposition

1. concurrently with (some other activity)

   kindly don't sleep during my lectures!

2. within the limit of (a period of time)

   during the day

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Usage

What does during mean? During means throughout the entire time or at a certain point in time when something was happening.During is a preposition, which is a type of word used before a noun or pronoun to relate it to another part of the sentence, especially to express a relationship based on space or time. During expresses a relationship based on time—it indicates that something happened not before or after something else, but at the same time.It can mean that something occurred continuously while something else was happening, as in We stayed inside during the storm. Or it can mean that something occurred at a certain time or times while something else was happening, as in I only left the house once during the storm. When used in a sentence, during is usually followed by a noun or pronoun that indicates the time frame or event in which the action has taken place, as in during our vacation or during Spanish class or during the game.Example: I hate how hot it gets during the summer.

Etymology

Origin of during

First recorded in 1350–1400; dure ² + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Military escorts, which shippers used in the Persian Gulf during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war, can only provide protection for a limited number of ships at a time.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Texas, which is fifth in the nation in offensive efficiency, shot just 25% during the first half.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

Doctors say the technology enables them to show precisely which areas of endometriosis may be removed during surgery.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

As South Carolina closed out a 62-48 victory over UConn on Friday, the 72-year-old Auriemma confronted Staley during what would have been the postgame handshake.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

“I sat on it. I sat on my ass, which sat on the rifle, which had belonged to my grandfather during the Civil War that he did not fight in.”

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse