among

[ uh-muhng ]

preposition

1. in, into, or through the midst of; in association or connection with; surrounded by:

   He was among friends.

2. in the midst of, so as to influence:

   missionary work among the local people.

3. with a share for each of:

   Divide the cigars among you.

4. in the number, class, or group of; of or out of:

   That is among the things we must do.

5. by all or with the whole of; by most or with many of:

   popular among the people.

6. by the joint or reciprocal action of:

   Settle it among yourselves.

7. each with the other; mutually:

   They quarreled among themselves.

8. familiar to or characteristic of:

   a proverb among the Spanish.

among

/ əˈmʌŋ /

preposition

1. in the midst of

   he lived among the Indians

2. to each of

   divide the reward among yourselves

3. in the group, class, or number of

   ranked among the greatest writers

4. taken out of (a group)

   he is only one among many

5. with one another within a group; by the joint action of

   decide it among yourselves

   a lot of gossip among the women employees

Usage

See between

Confusables Note

See between.

Word History and Origins

Origin of among¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English, Old English amang, onmang for on gemang, on gemonge (dative singular of gemong “crowd,” akin to mengan “to mix”) “in (the) group (of)”; akin to mingle

Word History and Origins

Origin of among¹

Old English amang, contracted from on gemang in the group of, from on + gemang crowd; see mingle , mongrel

Example Sentences

Among other things, they will continue to study how diet and lifestyle, in addition to drug treatment for cardiovascular disease, affect the risk of developing dementia.

From Science Daily

In between his California commitments, Rife will also make stops in Honolulu, New York City, Montreal, Seattle and St. Louis, among other cities.

From Los Angeles Times

Among the items initially listed were shrunken heads from the Jivaro people of South America, skulls from the Ekoi people of West Africa and a 19th century horned human skull from the Naga people of India and Myanmar.

From BBC

Among his political scoops was breaking the news in 2008 that the then DUP leader Ian Paisley was to step down as first minister and party leader.

From BBC

They were among the most loyal of the loyal and there was never any doubt that Trump would hire many of them in a second term.

From Salon