toward

1 of 2

preposition

variants or towards
ˈtō-ərd(z) How to pronounce toward (audio)
ˈtȯ(-ə)rd(z),
tə-ˈwȯrd(z),
ˈtwȯrd(z)
1
: in the direction of
driving toward town
2
a
: along a course leading to
a long stride toward disarmament
b
: in relation to
an attitude toward life
3
a
: 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
5
a
: 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

2 of 2

adjective

1
or less commonly towards [Middle English towardes, from Old English tōweardes, preposition, toward, from tōweard, adjective]
a
: coming soon : imminent
b
: happening at the moment : afoot
2
a
obsolete : quick to learn : apt
b
: propitious, favoring
a toward breeze

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
Part of her journey toward self-fulfillment, these visits allow her brief liberation from her husband and family, leading her to begin a series of illicit affairs. EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024 My ancestors, my DNA, my culture, all these things contribute to me being honorable toward that culture and representing. Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 6 Mar. 2024 After that win, the Wildcats’ players and coaches ran toward the crowd to celebrate, with Tang becoming famous for postgame dances alongside the student section. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2024 On a path to ‘my destiny’ Back when Evans was a high school senior, her mother summoned the nerve to take her only child and skip town toward safety. Virginia Brown, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2024 Super Tuesday is over and so is any hope that Donald Trump isn’t speeding toward the White House. Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 The city would claim ownership of the electricity produced by the solar array through We Energies' Renewable Pathway program and receive renewable energy credits that would count toward the city's goal of getting 25% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025. Karl Ebert, Journal Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2024 It is geared toward people who are 18 years and older who are not on insulin and who do not have problematic hypoglycemia. Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024 Proceeds from the sale will go toward helping other animals in need in the community, according to the website. The Courier-Journal, 23 Feb. 2024
Adjective
As the pressure has mounted, Paul and Ally have moved toward and away from each other. Peter Libbey, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'toward.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English toward, from Old English tōweard facing, imminent, from , preposition, to + -weard -ward

First Known Use

Preposition

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

Adjective

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

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

Dictionary Entries Near toward

Cite this Entry

“Toward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toward. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

toward

preposition
to·​ward
variants or towards
(ˈ)tō(-ə)rd(z),
(ˈ)tȯ(-ə)rd(z),
tə-ˈwȯrd(z),
(ˈ)twȯrd(z),
(ˈ)twōrd(z)
1
: in the direction of
heading toward town
2
a
: along a course leading to
efforts toward peace
b
: in regard to
attitude toward life
3
: so as to face
turn the chair toward the window
4
: not long before : near
toward noon
5
: as part of the payment for
$100 toward a new sofa

More from Merriam-Webster on toward

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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