1 onto | Definition of onto
on·​to | \ ˈȯn-(ˌ)tü How to pronounce onto (audio) , ˈän-\

Definition of onto

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to a position on We climbed onto the roof. Turn left onto Fifth Avenue.
2 : in or into a state of awareness about put me onto your methods was onto something that should have been pursued further— Bosley Crowther
3 —used as a function word to indicate a set each element of which is the image of at least one element of another set a function mapping the set S onto the set T

onto

adjective

Definition of onto (Entry 2 of 2)

: mapping elements in such a way that every element in one set is the image of at least one element in another set a function that is one-to-one and onto

Examples of onto in a Sentence

Preposition

We climbed onto the building's roof. The book fell onto the floor.
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First Known Use of onto

Preposition

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1942, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for onto

English Language Learners Definition of onto

: to a position that is on (something, such as a surface, area, or object)
: in a direction that allows you to get to or see (something)
—used to say that someone knows about what someone is doing or has done
on·​to | \ ˈȯn-(ˌ)tü How to pronounce onto (audio) , ˈän-\

Kids Definition of onto

: to a position on or against I leaped onto the horse.

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More from Merriam-Webster on onto

Spanish Central: Translation of onto

Nglish: Translation of onto for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of onto for Arabic Speakers

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