TOWARD Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com (original) (raw)

[tawrd, tohrd, t_uh_-wawrd, twawrd, twohrd, tawrd, tohrd] / tɔrd, toʊrd, təˈwɔrd, twɔrd, twoʊrd, tɔrd, toʊrd /

preposition

1. in the direction of.

   to walk toward the river.

2. with a view to obtaining or having; for.

   They're saving money toward a new house.

3. in the area or vicinity of; near.

   Our cabin is toward the top of the hill.

4. turned to; facing.

   Her back was toward me.

5. shortly before; close to.

   toward midnight.

6. as a help or contribution to.

   to give money toward a person's expenses.

7. with respect to; as regards.

   his attitude toward women.

adjective

1. about to come soon; imminent.
2. going on; in progress; afoot.

   There is work toward.

3. propitious; favorable.
4. Obsolete.
   1. promising or apt, as a student.
   2. compliant; docile.

adjective

1. rare in progress; afoot
2. obsolete about to happen; imminent
3. obsolete promising or favourable

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

preposition

1. a variant of towards

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

• towardness noun

Etymology

Origin of toward

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English tōweard; equivalent to to + -ward

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When June comes around, Lynch said it’s a possibility that U.S. gasoline prices will head toward 5agallonatthepump,withcrudeabove5 a gallon at the pump, with crude above 5agallonatthepump,withcrudeabove125 a barrel by mid-month.

FromMarketWatch • May 13, 2026

Panera has started offering options geared toward them, including salads stuffed inside Italian bread, and deals for half sandwiches and salads.

FromThe Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

During an appearance at a Savannah Bananas game at Angel Stadium, Hough started a dance routine by tossing a miniature mirrorball to Olson, who shrugged toward the camera.

FromLos Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

For technologies built on entanglement, that would mark an important step toward systems that can move quantum information reliably through future computers and networks.

FromScience Daily • May 13, 2026

The girl wriggled a hand from beneath Clare’s cloak, stretching toward the fire, seeking its warmth.

From"The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.