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

For this new release, he distilled six hours of material recorded during two days in a Brooklyn, N.Y., studio into a dozen tracks.

From The Wall Street Journal • 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

The US military has announced the loss of several aircraft during Iran operations, including a tanker that crashed in Iraq and three F-15s shot down by Kuwaiti friendly fire.

From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026

“These last few months with her are precious, and we are terrified that his detention will prevent him from being by her side during this incredibly difficult time,” the sisters wrote on the site.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

But we knew when to rap ‘yes’ or ‘no’ according to certain signs she made us during the séance.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock