through

Preposition

through

1. So as to enter (something), pass within or across, and then leave.
   • I drove through Lausanne on my way from Geneva to Zurich.
   • The bullet went right through his leg.
2. 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.
   • I'm working through this box set of the TV series 'Downton Abbey'.
3. From one side of (an opening) to the other.
   • Go straight ahead and through that door.
   • Look through the window.
4. To or beyond the other side of (an obstacle); past.
   • I hope to start in the autumn, but I've got to get through the interview first.
   • The finance bill did not get through Congress.
5. ('get through' etc.) Indicating that something has been consumed or used up.
   • Have you got through all those chocolates already?!
   • The company went through its £100m startup investment in six months.
6. Along the course of; used in expressions of progress towards the end of something.
   • We're halfway through the year.
7. Throughout the duration of.
   • He worked through the night.
   • I never want to sit through another meeting like that again.
8. By way of (a physical passage).
   • The hot water enters through this pipe.
9. By way of (an intermediary, agent, medium, etc.).
   • I met her through a friend of mine.
   • This matter was dealt with through our London office.
10. Throughout or across the extent of.
    • There are errors all through this report.
    • Work the eggs and sugar through the mixture.
11. Amidst or surrounded by (while moving).
    • We slogged through the mud for hours before turning back and giving up.
    • The arrow flew through the air.
12. (Canada, US) To (or up to) and including, with all intermediate values; to... inclusive; until the end of.
    • from 1945 through 1991; the numbers 1 through 9; your membership is active through March 15, 2013
    • The plural is "oyesses", but "oyes" vied with "oyez" through about the first half of the nineteenth century.
13. By means of.
    • This team believes in winning through intimidation.
    • He's got to where he is today through sheer hard work and determination.
14. In consequence of; as a result of.
    • The project failed through lack of investment.
    • Our minds and hearts are corrupted with the Adamic virus at birth, and through a lifetime of sin and tragedy, our hearts and thoughts get more evil and more corrupted as we experience life's tragedies.2012, Dimitri Yanuli, You Might Be Right, but You Ain't Right with the Word of God

Adjective

through (not comparable)

1. Passing from one side of something to the other.
   • Interstate highways form a nationwide system of through roads.
   • It is possible to use a through bolt so that the bolt will be loaded axially, but usually axial loads are only components of the total load on the bolt.1994, Don A. Halperin, G. Thomas Bible, Principles of Timber Design for Architects and Builders, page 137
2. (US) Finished; complete.
   • They were through with laying the subroof by noon.
   • Early in the Talmudic period the service was divided between two officers. One was invited to recite the Shema including the benedictions connected with it […] After he was through, another man was invited to stand up before the pulpit facing the direction of Jerusalem to recite the prayer proper...1929, Abraham Zevi Idelsohn, Jewish Music: Its Historical Development, page 108
3. 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.
4. Without a future; done for.
   • After being implicated in the scandal, he was through as an executive in financial services.
   • You chumps are tougher than you look. But I'm not through yet! Everyone! GET 'EM!!!2004, Intelligent Systems, translated by Nintendo of America, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Nintendo, GameCube, level/area: Shhwonk Fortress
5. No longer interested; wearied or turned off by experience.
   • She was through with him.
   • “I'm through with all pawn-games,” I laughed. “Come, let us have a game of lansquenet. Either I will take a farewell fall out of you or you will have your sevenfold revenge”.1908, W[illiam] B[lair] M[orton] Ferguson, chapter I, in Zollenstein, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC
6. Proceeding from origin to destination without the need to change transport vehicle.
   • The through flight through Memphis was the fastest.
   • When is the next through train to London?
7. Connected (to someone) by telephone.
   • You're through to the doctor now.
8. In possession of the ball beyond the last line of defence but not necessarily the goalkeeper; through on goal.
   • With the Swifts calling for offside the striker was through and only a great save from McIlravey prevented the opener.2015, Steve Grossi, SWFL1: Missed Chances See Swifts Relinquish Top Spot
9. (Commonwealth, Ireland, UK, rare) (usually followed by "to") Able to progress (to the next stage or a higher level) following success in an exam, sports match, etc.
   • Manchester United are through to the FA Cup Final for the thirteenth time.

Adverb

through (not comparable)

1. By way of the interior.
   • The arrow went straight through.
   • I didn't like the look of the place, so I drove through without stopping.
2. By way of an opening.
   • I opened the window and climbed through.
3. So as to overcome an obstacle and pass beyond it; past.
   • The road is blocked by an overturned truck, and cars can't pass through.
   • The American army broke through at Saint-Lô.
4. So as to pass a stage in a process and proceed to the next stage or level.
   • The bill will be tabled tomorrow, but I doubt that it will be voted through.
   • She progressed through to the final round of the competition.
5. From beginning to end, or from the present position to the end.
   • Others went to bed for the night; he worked straight through.
   • She read the letter through.
6. Throughout something; all the way across or into something.
   • Leave the yarn in the dye overnight so the color soaks through.
7. So as to connect with or reach.
   • I had difficulty reaching the commander, but eventually my call was routed through.

Noun

IPA/θɹʌf/

through (plural throughs)

1. (obsolete) A coffin, sarcophagus or tomb of stone; a large slab of stone laid on a tomb, or in a dry-stone wall from one side to the other; a perpend.