toward

preposition

to·ward | \ ˈtō-ərd

, ˈtȯ(-ə)rd

variants: or towards \ ˈtō-ərd(z)

, ˈtȯ(-ə)rd(z) , tə-ˈwȯrd(z) , ˈtwȯrd(z) \

Definition of toward

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : in the direction of driving toward town

2a : along a course leading to a long stride toward disarmament

b : in relation to an attitude toward life

3a : at a point in the direction of : near a cottage somewhere up toward the lake

b : in such a position as to be in the direction of your back was toward me

4 : not long before toward the end of the afternoon

5a : in the way of help or assistance in did all he could toward raising campaign funds

b : for the partial payment of proceeds go toward the establishment of a scholarship

toward

adjective

to·ward | \ ˈtō-ərd

, ˈtȯ(-ə)rd

Definition of toward (Entry 2 of 2)

1 or less commonly towards \ ˈtō-ərdz , ˈtȯ(-ə)rdz \ [ Middle English towardes, from Old English tōweardes, preposition, toward, from tōweard, adjective ]

a : coming soon : imminent

b : happening at the moment : afoot

2a obsolete : quick to learn : apt

b : propitious, favoring a toward breeze

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about toward

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Examples of toward in a Sentence

Preposition

The bus is heading toward town. She took a step toward the door. They live out towards the edge of town. We're thinking of taking a vacation towards the end of the month. Efforts toward peace have been largely unsuccessful.

Recent Examples on the Web: Preposition

The wave, reflected back toward the crater after the initial impact, added another distinct layer of rock—sediments of gravel, sand and charcoal—all within the first 24 hours of the hit. — Riley Black, Smithsonian, "What Happened the Day a Giant, Dinosaur-Killing Asteroid Hit the Earth," 9 Sep. 2019 Stay on task, trust your instincts and avoid compromising positions that others might inadvertently steer you toward. — Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive, "Horoscope for Sept. 9, 2019: Happy birthday Adam Sandler; Aries, stay on task at work," 9 Sep. 2019 Each personal watercraft driver then took rescued individuals about 1 to 2 miles back toward inland areas, where a bus driver transported them to shelters, Burrows said. — Billy Kobin, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville high school grad rescued Hurricane Dorian victims in the Bahamas on watercraft," 5 Sep. 2019 For Dunion and other scientists, Hurricane Dorian has defied predictions of both its strength and its path toward Florida and the southeastern US. — Wired, "Why Hurricane Dorian Defied Forecasts and Sank The Bahamas," 4 Sep. 2019 Hansen said two of the crew members went back toward the Conception looking for survivors but found no one. — Time, "Search for Survivors on California Diving Boat Called Off as 34 People Presumed Dead," 3 Sep. 2019 Hansen said two of the crew members went back toward the Conception looking for survivors but found no one. — Stefanie Dazio, Twin Cities, "Coast Guard: 25 bodies found after California boat fire," 3 Sep. 2019 Hansen said two of the crew members went back toward the Conception looking for survivors but found no one. — Stefanie Dazio, Anchorage Daily News, "34 presumed dead in dive boat fire off California, officials say," 3 Sep. 2019 Hurricane Dorian battered the Bahamas for more than two days, and is only now beginning to move away from the islands and toward Florida. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip Send Condolences to the Victims of Hurricane Dorian," 3 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'toward.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for toward

toward

preposition

English Language Learners Definition of toward

: in the direction of (something or someone)

—used to indicate the direction faced by something

: near (a particular place)

See the full definition for toward in the English Language Learners Dictionary

toward

preposition

to·ward | \ ˈtō-ərd

, tə-ˈwȯrd\

variants: or towards \ ˈtō-ərdz , tə-ˈwȯrdz \

toward

Definition of toward

Synonyms for toward

Examples of toward in a Sentence

First Known Use of toward

History and Etymology for toward

English Language Learners Definition of toward

toward

Definition of toward

Synonyms for toward

Examples of toward in a Sentence

First Known Use of toward

History and Etymology for toward

English Language Learners Definition of toward

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