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.
“There will always be an element of subjectivity in some decisions,” the organization’s head of refereeing Pierluigi Collina said, “but we are happy with how this principle has been applied throughout the tournament.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 13, 2026
Previous research has also linked P. gingivalis to widespread inflammation throughout the body and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including artery plaque buildup and coronary artery disease.
From Science Daily • Jul. 13, 2026
Ashley is also campaigning for a change in the law, wanting to ensure councils follow consistent bullying procedures throughout the country.
From BBC • Jul. 13, 2026
The pros included a vast support network of friends and neighbors, 24/7 security guards stationed at the entrance gate, and scenic lakes, swimming pools and tennis courts throughout her development.
From MarketWatch • Jul. 12, 2026
And Britain had declared a state of war throughout the vast British Empire.
From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman
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.
