due to

preposition

: as a result of : because of
due to the complaints of uptight parents … he lost his jobHerbert Gold
Using Due to: Usage Guide

The objection to due to as a preposition is only a continuation of disagreements that began in the 18th century over the proper uses of owing and due. Due to is as grammatically sound as owing to, which is frequently recommended in its place. It has been and is used by reputable writers and has been recognized as standard for decades. There is no solid reason to avoid due to.

Examples of due to in a Sentence

evening classes were cancelled due to heavy snow
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.
The Ascent fought back against the defending league champion Tampa Bay Sun in a prime-time Gainbridge Super League matchup, thrilling an energetic Charlotte crowd on a night when kickoff was pushed back roughly 30 minutes due to thunderstorms. Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025 May December At 36, Gracie Atherton (Julianne Moore) became the center of a tabloid scandal due to her infamous affair with seventh grader Joe Yoo. Jacqueline Weiss, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025 Year-round book sales ended in 2025 due to stocking costs. Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025 Harris’s aides had asked Biden’s team to extend protection due to safety concerns. Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for due to

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of due to was in 1897

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Due to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/due%20to. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

due to

preposition
: because of

More from Merriam-Webster on due to

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