for

1 of 5

preposition

fər,
(ˈ)fȯr How to pronounce for (audio)
 Southern also  (ˈ)fär
1
a
used as a function word to indicate purpose
a grant for studying medicine
b
used as a function word to indicate an intended goal
left for home
acted for the best
c
used as a function word to indicate the object or recipient of a perception, desire, or activity
now for a good rest
run for your life
an eye for a bargain
2
a
: as being or constituting
taken for a fool
eggs for breakfast
b
used as a function word to indicate an actual or implied enumeration or selection
for one thing, the price is too high
3
: because of
can't sleep for the heat
4
used as a function word to indicate suitability or fitness
it is not for you to choose
ready for action
5
a
: in place of
go to the store for me
b(1)
: on behalf of : representing
speaks for the court
(2)
: in favor of
all for the plan
6
: in spite of
usually used with all
for all his large size, he moves gracefully
7
: with respect to : concerning
a stickler for detail
heavy for its size
8
a
used as a function word to indicate equivalence in exchange
$10 for a hat
, equality in number or quantity
point for point
, or correspondence or correlation
for every one that works, you'll find five that don't
b
used as a function word to indicate number of attempts
0 for 4
9
used as a function word to indicate duration of time or extent of space
gone for two days
10
: in honor of : after
named for her grandmother

for

2 of 5

conjunction

: for the reason that : on this ground : because

for

3 of 5

abbreviation (1)

1
foreign
2
forestry

FOR

4 of 5

abbreviation (2)

free on rail

for-

5 of 5

prefix

1
: so as to involve prohibition, exclusion, omission, failure, neglect, or refusal
forbid
2
: destructively or detrimentally
fordo
3
: completely : excessively : to exhaustion : to pieces
forspent

Examples of for in a Sentence

Conjunction the bill should be listed as paid, for I mailed it in on time
Recent Examples on the Web
Preposition
That said, a lot of folks may be shocked by how much Larsa Pippen gives her teenager for allowance. Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2024 The elephant in the room for Republic FC for the last few years has been the stadium situation and the team’s wanting to build a state-of-the-art venue in the Railyards just north of downtown Sacramento. Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 8 Mar. 2024 The hope, Fink said, is that the investment will serve the waste system for years to come, even beyond PFAS. Chloe Johnson, Journal Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2024 The unanimous decision, authored by Justice Caleb Stegall, found that a warrantless traffic stop for public safety reasons cannot be justified by suspicion of criminal activity. Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 8 Mar. 2024 The bill's passage marks a win for House Republicans, who included the bill on their list of priorities this legislative session. Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Mar. 2024 The siblings got to spend the day at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas for the Big Game matchup, which ended up being their father’s third Super Bowl win. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 On Saturday, fellow co-star, Pedro Pascal, took home the award for lead drama actor at the SAG Awards. Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2024 Support networks and counseling can also provide a powerful means for emotional support for those suffering from chronic pain. Omer Awan, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'for.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Preposition and Conjunction

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Latin per through, prae before, pro before, for, ahead, Greek pro, Sanskrit pra before, in front, Old English faran to go — more at fare

Prefix

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German far- for-, Old English for

First Known Use

Preposition

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

Conjunction

12th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near for

Cite this Entry

“For.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/for. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

for

1 of 2 preposition
fər How to pronounce for (audio)
(ˈ)fȯ(ə)r
1
used to indicate a purpose
money for lunch
, an intended goal
left for work
, or an object of one's desire
now for a good rest
2
: as being
do you take me for a fool
eggs for breakfast
3
: because of
cried for joy
4
a
: in support of
fighting for their country
b
used to indicate suitability or fitness
it's not for me to say
medicine for an illness
c
: so as to bring about a certain state
shouted the news for all to hear
5
a
: in place of
go to the store for me
b
: as the equal or equivalent of in an exchange or loan
paid $10 for a hat
6
: in spite of
unconvinced for all the clever arguments
7
: with respect to : concerning
had an eye for news
8
used to indicate equality or proportion
point for point
tall for your age
9
used to indicate length of time or extent of space
waited for several hours
10
: after entry 2 sense 3a
named for my grandmother

for

2 of 2 conjunction
: for the reason that : on this ground : because
they were certainly there, for I saw them

Legal Definition

for

preposition
1
: because of
a statute void for vagueness
2
: on behalf of : as the representative of
attorney general's office for petitioner

More from Merriam-Webster on for

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!