through Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite having finished or arrived at completion
    done; through with.
    • certain to make history before he's done
    • it's a done deed
    • after the treatment, the patient is through except for follow-up
    • almost through with his studies
  2. adjective satellite (of a route or journey etc.) continuing without requiring stops or changes
    • a through street
    • a through bus
    • through traffic
  3. adverb from beginning to end
    • read this book through
  4. adverb over the whole distance
    • this bus goes through to New York
  5. adverb to completion
    • think this through very carefully!
  6. adverb in diameter
    • this cylinder measures 15 inches through
  7. adverb throughout the entire extent
    through and through.
    • got soaked through in the rain
    • I'm frozen through
    • a letter shot through with the writer's personality
    • knew him through and through
    • boards rotten through and through

WordNet

Through preposition
Etymology
OE. thurgh, urh, uruh, oruh, AS. urh; akin to OS. thurh, thuru, OFries. thruch, D. door, OHG. durh, duruh, G. durch, Goth. aírh; cf. Ir. tri, tre, W. trwy. *53. Cf. Nostril, Thorough, Thrill.
Definitions
  1. From end to end of, or from side to side of; from one surface or limit of, to the opposite; into and out of at the opposite, or at another, point; as, to bore through a piece of timber, or through a board; a ball passes through the side of a ship.
  2. Between the sides or walls of; within; as, to pass through a door; to go through an avenue.
    Through the gate of ivory he dismissed His valiant offspring. Dryden.
  3. By means of; by the agency of.
    Through these hands this science has passed with great applause. Sir W. Temple.
    Material things are presented only through their senses. Cheyne.
  4. Over the whole surface or extent of; as, to ride through the country; to look through an account.
  5. Among or in the midst of; -- used to denote passage; as, a fish swims through the water; the light glimmers through a thicket.
  6. From the beginning to the end of; to the end or conclusion of; as, through life; through the year.
Through adverb
Definitions
  1. From one end or side to the other; as, to pierce a thing through.
  2. From beginning to end; as, to read a letter through.
  3. To the end; to a conclusion; to the ultimate purpose; as, to carry a project through. ✍ Through was formerly used to form compound adjectives where we now use thorough; as, through-bred; through-lighted; through-placed, etc.
Through adjective
Definitions
  1. Going or extending through; going, extending, or serving from the beginning to the end; thorough; complete; as, a through line; a through ticket; a through train. Also, admitting of passage through; as, a through bridge.

Webster 1913