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Definition between in American English

between adverb, preposition

adverb, preposition
/bɪˈtwin/

Between can be used in the following ways:

as a preposition (followed by a noun): the distance between two places

as an adverb (without a following noun): two classes with a short break between

▪ contrast, difference, distinction, gap, parallels, similarity

1

if someone or something is between two other people or things, the two people or things are on each side of them

1.1

if someone or something is between two other people or things, the two people or things are on each side of them

Example

Hold the needle between your finger and thumb.

Example

New York City is about halfway between Boston and Washington, D.C.

Example

Charlotte sat in between her two sons at the reception.

Example

Put the two smaller vases on the ends and the big one in between.

Synonyms and related words
1.2

connecting two places

Example

Trains running between Boston and New York were delayed.

Synonyms and related words
2

in the period after one time or event and before the next

Example

The office will be closed between Christmas and New Year.

Example

The show opens next Monday. Between now and then we'll be rehearsing every day.

Example

I have two classes this morning, with a short break in between.

Example

Try to avoid snacks in between meals.

Synonyms and related words
3

within a range of numbers, amounts, ages, etc.

Example

Choose a number between 1 and 10.

Example

children between the ages of 4 and 13

Example

Fifteen is too few, but 30 is probably too many - somewhere in between would be about right.

4

used for showing which people or groups are involved in an agreement, discussion, competition, fight, etc.

4.1

used for showing which people or groups are involved in an agreement, discussion, competition, fight, etc.

Example

a conversation between the Prime Minister and the President

Example

The winner of tonight's game between Dallas and San Francisco will go to the Superbowl.

Synonyms and related words
4.2

used for showing that two things, people, organizations, or ideas are related or connected

Example

There has been a steady improvement in relations between China and the rest of the world.

Example

Scientists believe there is a link between diet and certain types of cancer.

5

used for stating which two people or things are similar or different

Example

Does a five-year-old know the difference between right and wrong?

Example

There are obvious parallels between computer systems and the workings of the human brain.

Example

the gap between rich and poor

6

used for showing how something is shared or divided

6.1

used for showing how something is shared or divided

Example

We agreed to split the profits between us on a fifty-fifty basis.

Example

The public-school teacher generally has to divide her time between record keeping and classroom teaching.

Example

Between cooking, cleaning, and looking after three kids, I don't have much time for myself.

6.2

used for showing that the total amount of something is owned, given, or produced by two or more people

Example

Between us, we managed to collect over $4,000.

7

used for showing that you can choose one out of two or more things

Example

They're both beautiful designs - it's hard to choose between them.

Example

Third year students have a choice between philosophy, sociology, and economics.

Definition between in American English