ENGLISH
REFERENCE

throughout

prep. · adv.
US //θɹuˈaʊt// UK //θɹuːˈaʊt// through·out
  1. 1 every part of a place (prep.)
    B1 Intermediate

    in every part of a place.

    in or to every part of a specific area or object.

    Example

    The virus spread throughout the country within just a few weeks.

    Example

    The scent of pine needles was noticeable throughout the house, lingering long after the holiday decorations had been removed.

    Usage

    Always followed by a noun phrase indicating the location.
  2. 2 the whole time (prep.)
    B1 Intermediate

    during the entire period of time.

    continuously or repeatedly during the entire duration of an event or period.

    Example

    He remained calm throughout the long and difficult interview.

    Example

    Throughout the nineteenth century, the city underwent a series of radical urban transformations that redefined its social geography.

    Usage

    Followed by a noun phrase indicating a time period or event.
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  1. 3 everywhere or the whole time (adv.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    in every part or during the whole time, without naming the place or time again.

    in every part or during the whole period; used as an adverbial modifier often at the end of a clause.

    Example

    The house was painted white throughout.

    Example

    The film was quite boring, but the music was excellent throughout.

    Usage

    Often placed at the end of a sentence or after the noun it modifies.

    Teacher's tip

    This adverbial use is slightly more formal than the prepositional use.
Origin

From Old English þurh ūt, equivalent to through + out. Compare German durchaus (“all the way, fully, absolutely”).

Word family

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