Dictionary
among
preposition \ə-ˈməŋ\
: in or through (a group of people or things)
: in the presence of (a group of people)
—used to talk about the opinions, feelings, etc., of a group of people
Full Definition of AMONG
1
: in or through the midst of : surrounded by <hidden among the trees>
2
: in company or association with <living among artists>
3
: by or through the aggregate of <discontent among the poor>
4
: in the number or class of <wittiest among poets> <among other things she was president of her college class>
5
: in shares to each of <divided among the heirs>
6
a : through the reciprocal acts of <quarrel among themselves> b : through the joint action of <made a fortune among themselves>
See among defined for English-language learners
See among defined for kids
Usage Discussion of AMONG
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>, and even when only one item is mentioned (but repetition is implied) <pausing between every sentence to rap the floor — 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> <the author alternates among modern slang, clichés and quotes from literary giants — A. H. Johnston>.
Variants of AMONG
among also amongst \-ˈməŋ(k)st\
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Origin of AMONG
Rhymes with AMONG
AMONG Defined for Kids
among
preposition \ə-ˈməŋ\
Definition of AMONG for Kids
1
: in or through the middle of <My ball landed among the trees.> <Disease spread among members of the class.>
2
: in the presence of : with <You're among friends.>
3
: through all or most of <There is discontent amongst voters.>
4
: in shares to each of <The candy was divided among the friends.>
5
: in the number or group of being considered or compared <among the best> <He was among her biggest fans.>
Variants of AMONG
among also amongst \-ˈməŋst\
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