the best/better/greater part of
idiom
: more than half of (something) : most of (something)
It took us the better part of a week to finish the job.
We've been waiting for the best part of an hour.
They live here for the greater part of the year.
Examples of the best/better/greater part of in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There is a blanket ban on loanees directly facing their parent club in the Premier League, something that has been in place for the better part of two decades, having been inspired by an unlikely source.
—
Nick Miller, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
The National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Education, etc., all these federal entities shell out what must be the better part of top university research budgets.
—Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Arizona Cardinals Needs: OG, D-line, CB, RB Ohio State OT Josh Simmons - Before the knee injury, which forced him to miss the better part of 2024 and could impact his draft standing, Simmons had an impressive blend of strength and athleticism.
17.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2025
After being nearly off the table for the better part of two decades, the rising popularity of artificial intelligence technologies has revived the dialogue around nuclear power production and its associated waste.
—Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the best/better/greater part of
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Nick Miller, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
The National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Education, etc., all these federal entities shell out what must be the better part of top university research budgets.
—Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Arizona Cardinals Needs: OG, D-line, CB, RB Ohio State OT Josh Simmons - Before the knee injury, which forced him to miss the better part of 2024 and could impact his draft standing, Simmons had an impressive blend of strength and athleticism.
17.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2025
After being nearly off the table for the better part of two decades, the rising popularity of artificial intelligence technologies has revived the dialogue around nuclear power production and its associated waste.
—Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the best/better/greater part of
Cite this Entry
“The best/better/greater part of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20best%2Fbetter%2Fgreater%20part%20of. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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