and

1 of 2

conjunction

ən(d),
(ˈ)an(d) How to pronounce and (audio)
 usually  ᵊn(d),
 after  t,
d,
s,
 or  z;
 often  ᵊm,
 after  p,
 or  b;
 sometimes  ᵊŋ,
 after  k,
 or  g
1
used as a function word to indicate connection or addition especially of items within the same class or type
used to join sentence elements of the same grammatical rank or function
2
a
used as a function word to express logical modification, consequence, antithesis, or supplementary explanation
b
used as a function word to join one finite verb (such as go, come, try) to another so that together they are logically equivalent to an infinitive of purpose
come and see me
3
obsolete : if
4
used in logic to form a conjunction

AND

2 of 2

noun

: a logical operator that requires both of two inputs to be present or two conditions to be met for an output to be made or a statement to be executed
Phrases
and so forth \ ən-​ˈsō-​ˌfȯrth How to pronounce and (audio) \
1
: and others or more of the same or similar kind
2
: further in the same or similar manner
3
: and the rest
4
: and other things
and so on \ ən-​ˈsō-​ˌȯn How to pronounce and (audio) , -​ˌän \
: and so forth

Examples of and in a Sentence

Conjunction 2 and 2 equals 4.

Word History

Etymology

Conjunction

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German unti and

First Known Use

Conjunction

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

Noun

1947, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near and

Cite this Entry

“And.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/and. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

and

conjunction
ən(d) How to pronounce and (audio)
(ˈ)an(d)
1
: added to
2 and 2 make 4
2
: as well as
used to join words or word groups
ice cream and cake
strong and healthy
swerved and avoided an accident

More from Merriam-Webster on and

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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