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.
Einhorn sees €50 a share by end of 2027 with another €15 a share due to buybacks. Jacob Wolinsky, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025 Despite being three years old, Blue could easily be mistaken for a kitten due to her unusually small size—a result of a rare genetic condition. Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025 And that is due to our veterans and our service people. Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2025 The decline is partly due to struggles in securing condo financing and inventory at lower price points, according to the Realtors group. Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 23 May 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 4 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

due to

preposition
: because of

More from Merriam-Webster on due to

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