Definition of downward
1a : from a higher to a lower placeb : toward a direction that is the opposite of up
2 : from a higher to a lower condition
3a : from an earlier timeb : from an ancestor or predecessor
From the M-W Editors
Examples of downward in a Sentence
The mountain streams flow downward to the lake.
Mud covered his pants from the knees downward.
First Known Use of downward
13th century
downward
Definition of downward
1 : moving or extending downward
2 : descending from a head, origin, or source
downwardly
adverbdownwardness
nounExamples of downward in a Sentence
Sales continued their downward trend.
the downward revision of an estimate
First Known Use of downward
circa 1552
DOWNWARD Defined for English Language Learners
downward
playDefinition of downward for English Language Learners
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: from a higher place or level to a lower place or level
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: toward the ground, floor, etc. : not up
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: toward people with less power, money, etc.
downward
Definition of downward for English Language Learners
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: moving or going from a higher place or level to a lower place or level
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: moving or going toward the ground, floor, etc.
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: changing to a smaller amount or lower number
DOWNWARD Defined for Kids
downwards
\-wərdz\Definition of downward for Students
: from a higher place, amount, or level to a lower one The company's sales continue to go downward. Still the Ghost pointed downward to the grave by which it stood. — Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
Definition of downward for Students
: going or moving from a higher place, amount, or level to a lower one a downward slope
Law Dictionary
downward
Legal Definition of downward
: going from a higher to a lower level a downward departure from the sentencing guidelines
downward
Legal Definition of downward
: from a higher to a lower level instead of following the sentencing guidelines, the court departed downward
Learn More about downward
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for downward Spanish Central: Translation of downward Nglish: Translation of downward for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of downward for Arabic speakers
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