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

During the mid-14th century, Islamic piracy expanded along the Valencian coastline, while increasing militarization created growing demand for protective equipment and weapons.

From Science Daily • Jun. 8, 2026

During rough weather in the English Channel in December 2017, Augustus Mensah, 55, fell and struck his head on the deck.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

During King’s rookie season, Jordan scored a career-high 69 points during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 28, 1990.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

During a January visit to the company’s Starbase facility in Texas, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon had suffered from a history of slow committees and “endless projects.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

During this time we began considering a plan to send astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr. into the atmosphere.

From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson