follow-through

1 of 2

noun

fol·​low-through ˈfä-lō-ˌthrü How to pronounce follow-through (audio)
ˌfä-lō-ˈthrü, 
-lə-
1
: the part of the stroke following the striking of a ball
2
: the act or an instance of following through

follow through

2 of 2

verb

followed through; following through; follows through

intransitive verb

1
: to continue a stroke or motion to the end of its arc
2
: to press on in an activity or process especially to a conclusion

Examples of follow-through in a Sentence

Verb you said you would put all of the files in order, but you didn't follow through with it
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.
Noun
This office is budgets, contracts, Council votes, County partners, and follow-through. — Judith "judy" Paul, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026 Something that once lived almost entirely inside the manager including memory, continuity and follow-through can now partly live in the system around the manager. — Keith Ferrazzi, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
Legend and Teigen never followed through with the combination. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026 Whether the commenter ever followed through on the challenge is still unclear, but SZA had something to say to people who think tearing down someone else’s artwork is worth a lot of their time. — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for follow-through

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of follow-through was in 1891

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Follow-through.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/follow-through. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

follow through

verb
1
: to complete a stroke or swing
2
: to continue in an activity or process especially to a conclusion
follow through with a study
follow-through
ˈfäl-ō-ˌthrü, 
ˌfäl-ō-ˈthrü, 
-ə-
noun
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