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between

Syllabification: (be·tween)
Pronunciation: /biˈtwēn/
(abbreviation: bet.)
Translate between | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of between

preposition

  • 1at, into, or across the space separating (two objects or regions):the border between Mexico and the United States the dog crawled between us and lay down at our feet those who travel by train between London and Paris
  • expressing movement from one side or point to the other and back again:traveling by train between London and Paris
  • 2in the period separating (two points in time):they snack between meals the long, cold nights between autumn and spring
  • 3in the interval separating (two points on a scale):a man aged between 18 and 30 between 25 and 40 percent off children’s clothes the difference between income and expenditure
  • 4indicating a connection or relationship involving two or more parties:the relationship between Pauline and Chris negotiations between the two companies are continuing links between science and industry
  • with reference to a collision or conflict:a collision in midair between two light aircraft above Geneva the wars between Carthage and Rome
  • with reference to a choice or differentiation involving two or more things being considered together:if you have to choose between two or three different options
  • 5by combining the resources or actions of (two or more people or other entities):we have created something between us oxygen and nitrogen between them account for 99 per cent of air
  • shared by (two or more people or things):they had drunk between them a bottle of Chianti

adverb

  • 1in or along the space separating two objects or regions:layers of paper with tar in between from Leipzig to Dresden, with the gentle Elbe flowing between
  • 2in the period separating two points in time:sets of exercises with no rest in between

Phrases

between ourselves (or you and me)

in confidence:just between you and me, I don’t think it is going to happen

(in) between times

in the intervals between other actions:I have seen to the needs of my child, and in between times I have cooked the meals

Origin:

Old English betwēonum, from be 'by' + a Germanic word related to two

1 Between is used in speaking of two things, people, etc.: we must choose between two equally unattractive alternatives. Among is used for collective and undefined relations of usually three or more: agreement on landscaping was reached among all the neighbors. But where there are more than two parties involved, between may be used to express one-to-one relationships of pairs within the group or the sense ‘shared by’: there is close friendship between the members of the club; diplomatic relations between the US, Canada, and Mexico. 2 Between you and I, between you and he, etc., are incorrect; between should be followed only by the objective case: between you and me, between you and him, etc. See also personal pronoun (usage).

between in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of between in the British & World English dictionary