I. əˈloŋ also -äŋ preposition
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English andlang, ondlang, from and-, ond-, against + lang long — more at ante- , long
1. : over the length of (a surface)
he crawled along the fence until he reached the gate
halfway along the street they stopped
2. : in the course of (as time or distance)
somewhere along the years — Ben Riker
3. : in a line parallel with the length or direction of
a ship sailing along the coast
or on a line through the center or central axis of
the boundary runs along the road
— distinguished from across
4. : in accordance with : in
research along certain specific lines — R.E.Barnaby
II. adverb
Etymology: Middle English, from along, prep
1.
a. : onward with progressive movement : forward , ahead , on
hurrying their education along
you'll see the hill as you ride along
rushing along through the speech
— see come along , get along , go along
b. : on the way : off
send a gift along to a friend
2.
a. : in a line parallel with the length or direction — usually used with by
cottages along by the river
b. : down the line : from one to another
word was passed along that the attack was coming
3.
a. obsolete : at full length : lengthwise
Saul fell straightway all along on the earth — 1 Sam 28:20 (Authorized Version)
there lay he stretched along like a wounded knight — Shakespeare
b. : for the whole length — used with all
the wall had crumbled all along
specifically : with the thread stitches of a book passed direct from two opposed kettle stitches — used with all
to handsew a book or section all along
4.
a. : in company or as company : as a companion
he brought his wife along
— often used with with
walking the fields along with his dog
b. : in association or accord — used with with
working along with his colleagues
5.
a. : at a loosely fixed point within a specified or implied extent of time, distance, or development — usually used with about
along about the time the first leaves fall — Saturday Review
along about July 25
b. : at or to an advanced point ; especially : at or to a point marked by a notable passage of time, increase of distance, or furtherance of development
the morning was well along
farther along toward the goalpost
plans are now far along
c. : during the whole period : all the time — used with all
the police knew all along who was guilty
6. : in addition : also
food was sent to them and clothing went along in the package
— often used with with
a bill came along with the merchandise
7. : in possession : at hand : as part of the equipment : as a necessary item, part, or feature
the sheriff had his gun along
— often used with with
a plane carrying heavy radar equipment along with full fuel tanks
8. : in company : on hand : there
sorry you weren't along
tell him I'll be along to see him