through

1 /Tru:/ preposition

1 entering something such as a door, passage, tube, or hole at one end or side and leaving it at the other: They were suddenly plunged into darkness as the train went through the tunnel. | The ball went flying through the window. | As the water passes through the filter a lot of dirt is taken out.

2 going into an area, group etc. and moving across it or within it: He had to push his way through the crowd to get to her. | The new ring road stops all the traffic driving through the centre of town. | gliding noiselessly through the air

3 if you see something through glass, a window etc, you are on one side of the glass etc and it is on the other: I could see her through the window. | Through the mist she could just make out his silhouette.

4 passing a place where you are supposed to stop: The driver had gone straight through the traffic lights and hit an oncoming car. | Once through passport control your luggage will be searched.

5 cutting, breaking or making a hole from one side of something to the other: Not only did the drill pierce the wood but it went straight through the table underneath too! | The goat had eaten right through the rope.

6 during and to the end of a period of time: Sometimes I go to bed at 5 a.m. and sleep right through the day. | I wouldn't worry about Joe, he's just going through a difficult period.

7 if you get through a difficult situation or experience you deal with it successfully: I've no idea how I managed to get through my exams last year. | He has lots of friends which really helped him through the divorce.

8 look through/search through/go through etc to do something from beginning to end and include all parts of it: In the dress rehearsal he'll go through the play one final time. | I've searched through all my documents and I still can't find my passport.

9 because of someone or something: How many working days were lost through sickness last year? | Through your incompetence many of the hotel's regular guests have taken their business elsewhere.

10 get through/go through to use a lot of something: You wouldn't believe how many packets of cigarettes she gets through.

11 using a particular person, organization etc to help you achieve something: I got my first job through an employment agency.

12 May through June/Wednesday through Friday etc AmE from May until June, from Wednesday until Friday etc: The store is open Monday through Saturday.

—see inclusive

13 if you go through a country, you travel across it: It was while we were travelling through Africa that we decided to settle over there.

14 if a law passes through a parliament, it is agreed and accepted as a law: The bill's passage through Congress was not a smooth one.

—see also: thru 2 adverb

1 from one end or side of something to the other: Let me through - I'm a doctor!

2 read/think/talk etc sth through to read, think etc about something very carefully from beginning to end: If you think it through - we have no choice but to agree to his demands.

3 get through/come through/pull through etc to deal with a difficult situation or experience successfully: I don't know why you worry about exams - you'll sail through as usual. | Doctors are unsure about whether she'll pull through.

4 get through/make it through etc to reach a person, place etc after a difficult journey: It's snowing too heavily, you'll never get through.

(+ to): After days of effort, rescue teams have finally made it through to the survivors.

5 wet through/cooked through etc informal very wet, cooked completely etc: You're wet through. What on earth have you been doing?

6 get through/be through BrE to be connected to someone by telephone

(+ to): I managed to get through to her after several attempts. | put sb through (=connect someone by telephone to someone else): “Can I speak to Mr Henry please?” “I'm putting you through sir.”

7 go through to London/Paris etc if something such as a train goes through to London it continues as far as London

8 through and through if someone is a particular type of person through and through, they are completely that type of person: I'll say one thing for Sandra - she's a professional through and through.

3 adjective

1 be through (with sb/sth) informal

a) to have finished doing something, using something etc: I'm not through just yet - I should be finished in an hour.

b) to no longer be having a relationship with someone: That's it! Simon and I are through.

c) to have stopped doing something or using something that is bad or that you do not like: He says he's through with drugs but it's just not that easy.

2 through train/road a train or road by which you can reach a place, without having to use other trains or roads