# throughout

/θɹuˈaʊt/ (US) · /θɹuːˈaʊt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/throughout
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. every part of a place

preposition · CEFR B1

in every part of a place.

For teachers: in or to every part of a specific area or object.

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

preposition · CEFR B1

during the entire period of time.

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

- He remained calm throughout the long and difficult interview.
- 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.

### 3. everywhere or the whole time

adverb · CEFR B2

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

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

- The house was painted white throughout.
- 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.

Teaching tip: This adverbial use is slightly more formal than the prepositional use.

## Examples

- The house is painted white throughout.
- The film was quite long, but the audience remained silent and attentive throughout.
- Although the initial chapters are somewhat slow, the author maintains a sense of mounting tension throughout, culminating in a finale that few readers will see coming.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.