between
in the space separating (two points, objects, etc.): between New York and Chicago.
intermediate to, in time, quantity, or degree: between twelve and one o'clock; between 50 and 60 apples;between pink and red.
linking; connecting: air service between cities.
in portions for each of (two people): splitting the profits between them.
among: sharing the responsibilities between the five of us.
by the dual or common action or participation of: Between us, we can finish the job in a couple of hours.
distinguishing one from the other: He couldn't see the difference between good and bad.
in comparing:no preference between the two wines.
by the combined effect of.
existing confidentially for: We'll keep this matter between the two of us.
involving; concerning: war between nations;choice between things.
being felt jointly or reciprocated by: the love between them.
by joint possession of: Between them they own most of this company.
Heraldry. in the midst of, so as to make a symmetrical composition: a cross argent between four bezants.
Usually betweens. a short needle with a rounded eye and a sharp point, used for fine hand stitchery in heavy fabric.
in the intervening space or time; in an intermediate position or relation: two windows with a door between;visits that were far between.
Idioms about between
between ourselves, confidentially; in trust.: Also between you and me, between you, me, and the post / lamppost / gatepost / etc.
in between,
situated in an intermediary area or on a line or imaginary line connecting two points, things, etc.
in the way: I reached for the ball, but the dog got in between.
Origin of between
1confusables note For between
usage note For between
The construction between each (or every ) is sometimes objected to on the grounds that between calls for a plural or compound object. However, the construction is old and fully standard when the sense indicates that more than one thing is meant: Spread softened butter between each layer of pastry. There were marigolds peeking between every row of vegetables. The construction between … to is a blend of between … and ( between 15 and 25 miles ) and from … to ( from 15 to 25 miles ). It occurs occasionally in informal speech but not in formal speech or writing.
Other words from between
- be·tween·ness, noun
Words that may be confused with between
- among, between (see confusables note at the current entry)
Words Nearby between
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use between in a sentence
between 25 and 30, you’re trying to decide how much longer before you start growing a beard and calling yourself ‘Daddy.
Freaking Out About Age Gaps in Gay Relationships Is Homophobic | Samantha Allen | January 9, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTHe has wild swings between trying not to care about Lana and the baby, and being completely obsessed by it.
‘Archer’ Creator Adam Reed Spills Season 6 Secrets, From Surreal Plotlines to Life Post-ISIS | Marlow Stern | January 8, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThe choice between freedom and fear is not difficult when seen with perspective.
Each individual race involves an unusual collaboration between researchers, manufacturers, and public-health entities.
Are you bi-coastal now, between Portlandia and Late Night with Seth Meyers?
Coffee Talk with Fred Armisen: On ‘Portlandia,’ Meeting Obama, and Taylor Swift’s Greatness | Marlow Stern | January 7, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
In sorting notes it is necessary to be able readily to distinguish between notes of this bank and notes of other reserve banks.
Readings in Money and Banking | Chester Arthur PhillipsThe case was an assault and battery that came off between two men named Brown and Henderson.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun; | VariousHe thrust his tiny tuft of beard between his teeth—a trick he had when perplexed or thoughtful.
St. Martin's Summer | Rafael SabatiniTo Harrison and his wife there was no distinction between the executive and judicial branches of the law.
The Bondboy | George W. (George Washington) OgdenHe noticed at the same time several burnt matches between his cushions and her chair.
The Wave | Algernon Blackwood
British Dictionary definitions for between
/ (bɪˈtwiːn) /
at a point or in a region intermediate to two other points in space, times, degrees, etc
in combination; together: between them, they saved enough money to buy a car
confined or restricted to: between you and me
indicating a reciprocal relation or comparison: an argument between a man and his wife
indicating two or more alternatives: a choice between going now and staying all night
between one specified thing and another: two houses with a garage between
Origin of between
1usage For between
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with between
In addition to the idioms beginning with between
- between a rock and a hard place
- between the lines
- between you and me
also see:
- betwixt and between
- come between
- draw a line between
- fall between the cracks
- few and far between
- hit between the eyes
- in between
- in between times
- read between the lines
- tail between one's legs
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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