Added 9 October 2026
through
/θɹuː/ preposition
In Latin: per Wiktionary
preposition Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about through at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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From one side or end of (something) to the other. So as to enter (something), pass within or across, and then leave.
I drove through Lausanne on my way from Geneva to Zurich.
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So as to enter (something), pass within or across, and then leave.
I drove through Lausanne on my way from Geneva to Zurich.
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So as to progress within (something) or towards the end or limit of (something).
The virus broke out in the capital city and is now spreading quickly through the country.
adjective
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Passing from one side of something to the other.
Interstate highways form a nationwide system of through roads.
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Finished; complete.
They were through with laying the subroof by noon.
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Along the course of a task etc.; used in expressions of progress towards the end.
It's a big job but we're halfway through.
adverb
noun
Origin
From Middle English thrugh, thruch, thruh, metathetic variants of thurgh, thurh, from Old English þurh, from Proto-Germanic *þurhw (“through”), from Proto-Indo-European *tr̥h₂kʷe, suffixed zero-grade from *terh₂- (“to pass through”) + *-kʷe (“and”). Cognates Cognate with North Frisian döör (“through”), Saterland Frisian truch (“through”), West Frisian troch (“through”), Dutch door (“through”), German durch (“through”), Luxembourgish duerch (“through”), West Flemish deur (“through”), Yiddish דורך (durkh, “through”), Gothic 𐌸𐌰𐌹𐍂𐌷 (þairh, “through”), Latin trans (“across, over, through”), Albanian tërthor (“through, around”), Welsh tra (“through”). See also thorough.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)