Definition of TOWARD (original) (raw)
2
a
: along a course leading to
a long stride toward disarmament
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
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
Usage of Toward and Towards
Toward and towards are two forms of the same word. They have been used interchangeably since their inception in the 9th century. Today, toward is more common in the U.S. and Canada, while towards tends to be preferred elsewhere.
1
or less commonly towards [Middle English towardes, from Old English tōweardes, preposition, toward, from tōweard, adjective]
b
: happening at the moment : afoot
2
a
obsolete : quick to learn : apt
Synonyms of toward
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Early excavations were geared toward finding original buildings and materials to recreate the colonial-era village. —
Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 13 May 2026 However, when combined with broader tax regimes, these tax policies may contribute to gradual shifts in where ultra-wealthy individuals allocate assets, particularly toward lower-tax jurisdictions. —Trevor Laurence Jockims, CNBC, 12 May 2026
As the pressure has mounted, Paul and Ally have moved toward and away from each other. —Peter Libbey, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2020 See All Example Sentences for toward
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English toward, from Old English tōweard facing, imminent, from tō, 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
Browse Nearby Words
Cite this Entry
“Toward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toward. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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