fol·low·ing
ˈfä-lə-wiŋ 
1
: being next in order or time
the following day
2
: listed or shown next
trains will leave at the following times
: subsequent to
following the lecture tea was served
Synonyms
Examples of following in a Sentence
Adjective
She found a good job, and moved into a new house the following year.
We met again the following day.
Trains will leave at the following times: 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and 8 p.m.
If you have questions or comments, please write to us at the following address: P.O. Box 234,….
Noun
The band has a large and devoted following in Japan.
The movement quickly gained a following among young people.
Preposition
Following the lecture, refreshments were served.
We were tired for a few days following our trip.
Recent Examples on the Web
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 1 Mar. 2024
Alabama reached the top of the college football world in Saban's third season with a perfect 14-0 season capped off with a win in the BCS National Championship Game against Texas, and remained a national championship contender in every following season.
—USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2024
The most popular political party in Thailand won its following last year, and the ire of the conservative establishment, by campaigning to end military rule and to weaken the draconian law that prohibits criticism of the country’s monarchy.
—Muktita Suhartono, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2024
Keith Lee has been known for his straightforward and blunt food reviews on TikTok — content that’s built him a following 14.5 million deep, and dozens of small business owners have credited him with saving their restaurants.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2023
Condor was seen in a following shot posing with her hands in her pockets beside her actor beau in the same hallway.
—Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 9 Oct. 2023
Signifying the passage of time, the text updated with each following year, laid over shots of the couple dancing at their evening wedding reception at Royal Lodge, a formal portrait in their wedding best and smiling for a selfie.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 12 Oct. 2023
There will be five additional stores opening in 2026 and five stores each following year.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2023
This set has developed such a following online, it's earned more than 11,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.
—Rachel Rothman, Good Housekeeping, 18 Aug. 2023
Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 25 Apr. 2024
Her engaging content reaches a large following of over 10 million across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.
—Katcy Stephan, Variety, 22 Apr. 2024
Peppler, whose newest cookbook is her third written in France, is part of a small group of American expats who have built followings sharing their love of French cooking and culture, including Dorie Greenspan, David Lebovitz and Milwaukee native Patricia Wells.
—Kristine M. Kierzek, Journal Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2024
The winery, established in 2006, has built a following through concerts, events and warm hospitality (tastings cost $20, waived with a two-bottle purchase).
—Elaine Glusac, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2024
The Durango, with the Acura following, then drove away from the intersection when the light turned green.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024
Since his Vine days, he’s moved over to TikTok, where he’s amassed a following of over one million people, with many of his videos getting over a million views.
—Moises Mendez Ii, TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
The team was shorter-lived than the Whalers and did not have the same following.
—The Arizona Republic, 15 Apr. 2024
With the right approach, companies can leverage the influencer’s following and expertise to achieve new heights of success.
—Peter Su, Rolling Stone, 8 Apr. 2024
Adjective
Miller got hit in the back in the second half of Thursday night’s loss to Milwaukee and was still sore following pregame warmups in Philadelphia, causing the Hornets to hold him out and go with Seth Curry in his place, giving Curry his first career start with his hometown team.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 1 Mar. 2024
Alabama reached the top of the college football world in Saban's third season with a perfect 14-0 season capped off with a win in the BCS National Championship Game against Texas, and remained a national championship contender in every following season.
—USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2024
The most popular political party in Thailand won its following last year, and the ire of the conservative establishment, by campaigning to end military rule and to weaken the draconian law that prohibits criticism of the country’s monarchy.
—Muktita Suhartono, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2024
Keith Lee has been known for his straightforward and blunt food reviews on TikTok — content that’s built him a following 14.5 million deep, and dozens of small business owners have credited him with saving their restaurants.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2023
Condor was seen in a following shot posing with her hands in her pockets beside her actor beau in the same hallway.
—Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 9 Oct. 2023
Signifying the passage of time, the text updated with each following year, laid over shots of the couple dancing at their evening wedding reception at Royal Lodge, a formal portrait in their wedding best and smiling for a selfie.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 12 Oct. 2023
There will be five additional stores opening in 2026 and five stores each following year.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2023
This set has developed such a following online, it's earned more than 11,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.
—Rachel Rothman, Good Housekeeping, 18 Aug. 2023
Noun
The singer-songwriter has built a following in Nashville for her unique sound and her touring chops.
—Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 25 Apr. 2024
Her engaging content reaches a large following of over 10 million across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.
—Katcy Stephan, Variety, 22 Apr. 2024
Peppler, whose newest cookbook is her third written in France, is part of a small group of American expats who have built followings sharing their love of French cooking and culture, including Dorie Greenspan, David Lebovitz and Milwaukee native Patricia Wells.
—Kristine M. Kierzek, Journal Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2024
The winery, established in 2006, has built a following through concerts, events and warm hospitality (tastings cost $20, waived with a two-bottle purchase).
—Elaine Glusac, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2024
The Durango, with the Acura following, then drove away from the intersection when the light turned green.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024
Since his Vine days, he’s moved over to TikTok, where he’s amassed a following of over one million people, with many of his videos getting over a million views.
—Moises Mendez Ii, TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
The team was shorter-lived than the Whalers and did not have the same following.
—The Arizona Republic, 15 Apr. 2024
With the right approach, companies can leverage the influencer’s following and expertise to achieve new heights of success.
—Peter Su, Rolling Stone, 8 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'following.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near following
Cite this Entry
“Following.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/following. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
following
1 of 3 adjective
fol·low·ing
ˈfäl-ə-wiŋ
1
: being next in order or time
the following day
2
: listed or shown next
following
2 of 3 noun
: a group of followers
following
3 of 3 preposition
: immediately after
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