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

The first minister said it was "irrelevant" that he had appointed Murrell as SNP chief executive in 2001 during his first spell as party leader.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

Dudamel became a cultural icon in Los Angeles during his nearly two decades at the helm of the West Coast's premier orchestra.

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

That could limit Warsh’s options during his first meeting at the centrak bank’s helm on June 16-17.

From MarketWatch • May 26, 2026

Tennis great Andre Agassi, one of his sport’s more insightful players and an eight-time Grand Slam champion, was asked during a 2005 press conference about the fearless style of up-and-comer Rafael Nadal.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026

Indeed, the shop never made so much money as during that first year of the war.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom