throughout
Americanpreposition
-
in or to every part of; everywhere in.
They searched throughout the house.
-
from the beginning to the end of.
He was bored throughout the play.
adverb
-
in every part.
rotten throughout.
-
at every moment or point.
following the text closely throughout.
preposition
adverb
Etymology
Origin of throughout
First recorded before 1000; Middle English throw out, Old English thurh ūt “through and out the other side (of )”; see through, out
Explanation
Use the adverb throughout for things that keep going from beginning to end. If you mention your perfect grades several times throughout a conversation, your interviewer will know you're smart, but might also think you're kind of obnoxious. Throughout means "from start to finish," although it doesn't have to mean constantly from start to finish. Your brother might complain that you had to stop and pee throughout the entire road trip, but he doesn't mean you were literally doing it the whole time, just like every two hours. In academic writing, throughout, or sometimes passim ("throughout" in Latin) is a way of saying that an idea shows up all over a book, not just on a certain page.
Vocabulary lists containing throughout
PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade 11)
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"A Short History of the UDHR" and "Background on the UDHR"
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Louder than Hunger
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Structural fumigation remains one of the most effective methods for eliminating drywood termite infestations throughout an entire building.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 19, 2026
USC’s high-powered offense also stalled throughout, in part because quarterback Jayden Maiava was nowhere near as sharp as he had been to start the season.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026
That’s also why, when “Fjord” opens with soft piano chords playing “Amazing Grace,” it’s safe to assume the song will be an integral motif throughout the film.
From Salon ● Sep. 19, 2026
It is also fair to say Alonso is still experimenting with systems and personnel, and has yet to settle on a style of play that gives his side control throughout a match.
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026
Instead, she picked days here and there throughout the week.
From "The First State of Being" by Erin Entrada Kelly
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
