What does during mean?
"During" is one of English's most essential prepositions, used to situate events in time in two closely related ways. First, it can indicate that something occupies the entire length of a period, as in "the shop stays open during the holidays"; second, it can mark that something happens at some point within a period or event, as in "she woke during the storm." This flexibility makes it indispensable for narrative and everyday speech alike. The word entered English in the late fourteenth to early fifteenth century from Old French "durant," the present participle of "durer," meaning "to last" or "to endure," which itself derives from Latin "durare." It therefore belongs to a productive word family including "duration," "endure," "durable," and "duress." Grammatically, "during" is always followed by a noun phrase rather than a clause, distinguishing it from conjunctions like "while." Its tone is completely neutral, serving equally well in legal prose, journalism, and casual conversation, which accounts for its very high frequency in modern usage.
prepositionThroughout the whole course or extent of a period of time; at some point or points within a given period or event.
- Throughout the entire duration of (a period of time): 'She slept during the entire flight.'
- At some unspecified point within a period of time or event: 'He woke up during the night.'
"The museum remained closed during renovations."
"Many families moved to the countryside during the pandemic."
"The power went out twice during the concert."
"During" comes from the same Latin root as "duress" — a word that once meant simply 'lasting through' now quietly holds together every sentence about when things happen.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of during
"During" originated in Middle English in the late fourteenth century, adapted from Old French "durant," the present participle of "durer" ("to last, endure"). The French verb traces back to Latin "durare," from "durus" ("hard"), reflecting the idea of holding firm over time. It shares this root with "duration," "endure," "durable," and "duress." Over centuries it grammaticalized from a participle meaning "lasting" into a fixed preposition of temporal reference.
How during is actually used
Strictly a preposition, not a conjunction: use "during the meeting", not "*during we were meeting" — for clauses, use "while" or "when" instead. It is neutral in register and common in both formal and informal writing. Some style guides note that "during" can mean either the whole span of a period or just one moment inside it, so context determines whether completeness or an isolated point is meant.