be·tween
bi-ˈtwēn 
bē-
1
a
: by the common action of : jointly engaging
shared the work between the two of them
talks between the three—
Time
Time
b
: in common to : shared by
divided between his four grandchildren
2
a
: in the time, space, or interval that separates
the alley between the butcher shop and the pharmacy
should arrive between 9 and 10 o'clock
b
: in intermediate relation to
weighs somewhere between a pound and a pound and a half
3
a
: from one to another of
air service between Miami and Chicago
b
: serving to connect or unite in a relationship (such as difference, likeness, or proportion)
a one-to-one correspondence between sets
mutual understanding between them
c
: setting apart
the line between fact and fancy
4
a
: in preference for one or the other of
had no difficulty deciding between the two
b
: in point of comparison of
little difference between the two cars
5
: in confidence restricted to
a secret between you and me
6
: taking together the combined effect of
between work and family life, they have no time for hobbies
Between vs. Among: Usage Guide
There is a persistent but unfounded notion that between can be used only of two items and that among must be used for more than two. Between has been used of more than two since Old English; it is especially appropriate to denote a one-to-one relationship, regardless of the number of items. It can be used when the number is unspecified
economic cooperation between nations
, when more than two are enumerated
between you and me and the lamppost
partitioned between Austria, Prussia, and Russia
—Nathaniel Benchley
Nathaniel Benchley
, and even when only one item is mentioned (but repetition is implied).
pausing between every sentence to rap the floor
—George Eliot
George Eliot
Among is more appropriate where the emphasis is on distribution rather than individual relationships.
discontent among the peasants
When among is automatically chosen for more than two, English idiom may be strained.
a worthy book that nevertheless falls among many stools
—John Simon
John Simon
the author alternates among mod slang, clichés and quotes from literary giants
—A. H. Johnston
A. H. Johnston
: in an intermediate space or interval
two beds with a nightstand between
Examples of between in a Sentence
Preposition
The ball rolled between the desk and the wall.
He stood between his mother and his father.
The office has two desks with a table between them.
They put up a fence between their house and their neighbor's house.
There are fences between all the houses.
If you want to lose weight, you shouldn't eat between meals.
Between bites of food, they talked to their teacher.
The two days between Monday and Thursday are Tuesday and Wednesday.
We should arrive between 9 and 10 o'clock.
Adverb
The office has two desks with a table between.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jakob Roze, Health, 31 Oct. 2025
When vacuuming, don’t forget small spaces under the oven, between the counter and fridge, and areas under furniture that are likely to trap dirt.
—Kelsey Mulvey, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2025
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 24 Sep. 2025
The battle for the corner office may be more competitive than ever before—with promotions today seeming few and far between; in fact, some 75% of workers leave jobs before ever being promoted, according to ADP.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for between
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Preposition
Experiment with different levels of resistance bands to find the right balance between challenge and maintaining good form.
—Jakob Roze, Health, 31 Oct. 2025
When vacuuming, don’t forget small spaces under the oven, between the counter and fridge, and areas under furniture that are likely to trap dirt.
—Kelsey Mulvey, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2025
Adverb
Sometime between now and when the sun enters its Earth-devouring red giant phase, Major League Baseball will make an official announcement regarding its 2026-28 media rights contracts.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 24 Sep. 2025
The battle for the corner office may be more competitive than ever before—with promotions today seeming few and far between; in fact, some 75% of workers leave jobs before ever being promoted, according to ADP.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for between
Video
I vs. Me
'Between you and __'? Simple guidance for a tricky pronoun.
Cite this Entry
“Between.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/between. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
between
1 of 2 preposition
be·tween
bi-ˈtwēn
1
: by the common action of
ate six pizzas between them
2
: in the time or space that separates
between nine and ten o'clock
between the desk and the wall
3
a
: from one to the other of
flying between Miami and Chicago
b
: joining or linking in some relationship
the bond between friends
the difference between soccer and football
4
: in comparison of
there's not much to choose between the two coats
5
: staying known by only certain people
a secret between you and me
6
: taking together the combined effect of
between school and sports, they have little time for TV
between
2 of 2 adverb
: in an intermediate space or interval
two cars with a truck between
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