throughout

American  

[throo-out] / θruˈaʊt /

preposition

1. in or to every part of; everywhere in.

   They searched throughout the house.

2. from the beginning to the end of.

   He was bored throughout the play.

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adverb

1. in every part.

   rotten throughout.

2. at every moment or point.

   following the text closely throughout.

throughout British  

/ θruːˈaʊt /

preposition

1. right through; through the whole of (a place or a period of time)

   throughout the day

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adverb

1. through the whole of some specified period or area

Etymology

Origin of throughout

First recorded before 1000; Middle English throw out, Old English thurh ūt “through and out the other side (of )”; 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.

Example Sentences

“Really happy for him on a personal level. But also just for our team, he’s brought a really high level of consistency, particularly on the defensive end, and with his effort throughout the season.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Because the property occupies three entire floors of the home, it gets “four exposures,” the listing notes, meaning that it is “filled with light throughout the day.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

But having successfully shipped crude throughout the conflict, Tehran is cushioned by the recent windfall profits, at least in the short term.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

Until then, connectivity may degrade throughout the region.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

Tails were being rearranged throughout the dining saloon.

From "Secrets at Sea" by Richard Peck