1
: in a line matching the length or direction of
walking along the road
also : at a point or points on
a house along the river
2
: in the course of
made stops along the way
3
: in accordance with : in
a new agreement along the lines of the first

along

2 of 2

adverb

1
: forward, on
move along
2
: from one to another
word was passed along
3
a
: in company : as a companion
brought his wife along
often used with with
walked to school along with her friends
b
: in association
used with with
work along with colleagues
4
a
: sometime within a specified or implied extent of time
usually used with about
along about July 17
b
: at or to an advanced point
plans are far along
5
: in addition : also
usually used with with
a bill came along with the package
6
: at hand : as a necessary or useful item
brought an extra one along
had his gun along
7
: on hand : there
tell him I'll be along to see him

Examples of along in a Sentence

Preposition We walked along the beach. The chairs were lined up along the wall. The ship sailed along the coast.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Preposition
Ranunculus flowers, also known as Persian buttercups, are native to Turkey but have been grown along the northern San Diego County coast for at least 90 years, Times reporter Christopher Reynolds wrote. Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025 In addition to tagging along for the film's premiere, Brisket has also been seen all over Powell's Instagram doing everything from wearing matching cowboy hats to riding along in a shoulder sling and even appearing in thirst traps alongside his shirtless dad. Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
Adverb
The Glyph Interface can also do things like show you progress of your Uber ride (as the ride gets closer the light fills up), or flash along to music being played. Ben Sin, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025 Become a Subscriber Humans will still nudge these models along, of course, but they are engineered to help fewer people do the work of many. Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for along

Word History

Etymology

Preposition

Middle English, from Old English andlang, from and- against + lang long — more at ante-

First Known Use

Preposition

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of along was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Along.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/along. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

1
: in a line matching the length or direction of
walk along the beach
lined up along the wall
2
: at a point or points on
stopped along the way
3
: in accordance with
a new agreement along the lines of the first

along

2 of 2 adverb
1
: onward entry 1, forward
move along
2
: as a companion or associate
brought my best friend along
3
: in addition : also
the bill came along with the package
4
: at or on hand
had a camera along

More from Merriam-Webster on along

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