through

throughpreposition

Through describes going in at one side or end and out at the other, in space or in time, and so also getting past something or reaching a result by some means.

1. from one side to the otherinto one side or end of something and out of the other

   • The train went through a long tunnel.
   • We walked through the park to get to school.
   • She looked through the window.
   • Water was coming in through a hole in the roof.

   Collocations

   verb + preposition go through, walk through, pass through, look through, come in through

   Compare across (across is from one side to the other of a flat surface or a line; through is inside a space with sides or things all around: walk across a field, walk through a forest)

   1. amoving among the parts or things that fill a space

      • We drove through the city at night.
      • He pushed his way through the crowd.
      • The path goes through the trees.

   2. bpast a point where people or things are stopped, checked, or held

      • It took an hour to get through security.
      • He drove straight through a red light.

2. timefrom the beginning to the end of a period of time or an activity

   • The baby slept through the night.
   • She worked through the weekend.
   • They talked all through dinner.
   • I'm halfway through the book. (how much of something has been done)

   Collocations

   phrase all through, halfway through, right through, through the night

   Compare throughout

3. including the lastup to and including

   Used between two points in a series, such as days, months, or numbers, to show that the second one is included.

   American

   • The store is open Monday through Saturday.
   • Please read chapters one through five.
   • The show runs from May through August.

   Compare to (Monday to Friday is used everywhere; Monday through Friday is American and makes clear that Friday is included); until

4. by means ofby using, or with the help of, someone or something

   • I got the job through a friend.
   • She learned English through watching films.
   • Success comes through hard work.

   Collocations

   phrase through hard work, through a friend, through practice

   Synonyms via

   Compare via; by

5. experienceduring, and to the end of, a difficult experience or situation

   • She has been through a lot this year.
   • Her friends stayed with her through her illness.
   • He helped me through a very hard time.

   Collocations

   phrase be through a lot, help someone through, through good times and bad

See also through (with no noun after it: Come through); go through; get through