1
a
: near, being at, or belonging to the forepart
the forward section of the main deck
b
: situated in advance
Baggage is carried in the forward cars of the train.
2
3
: notably advanced or developed : precocious
The child is very forward at walking.
4
: moving, tending, or leading toward a position in front
checked the forward movement of the dog
also
: moving toward an opponent's goal
5
6
: of, relating to, or getting ready for the future
forward buying of produce
forwardly
adverb
forwardness
noun
: to or toward what is ahead or in front
from that time forward
moved slowly forward
forwarded; forwarding; forwards
: a player who plays at the front the team's formation near the opponent's goal
a forward in hockey
Synonyms
Examples of forward in a Sentence
Adjective
the forward deck of a boat
the forward movement of history
a very forward young woman
Adverb
Her long hair fell forward as she bent to tie her shoes.
He pushed the throttle forward.
She took a small step forward.
The narrative moves backward and forward in time.
The technology has taken a big step forward.
Verb
Your letter will be forwarded to the appropriate department.
Please forward my mail to my new address.
Recent Examples on the Web
Howard Walker, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2024
The Blue Devils took a lead into halftime, but NC State came alive in the second half, led by forward DJ Burns, who finished with 29 points and four rebounds.
—Jacob Lev, CNN, 1 Apr. 2024
Drill Dash is a forward dash that can knock enemies backward.
—Kris Holt, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
That’s all starting to change as more and more breweries jump on the NA bandwagon, but A.I. might be able to help supercharge that forward progress.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2024
Among the axis groups, Hezbollah is particularly close to Iran: just as Iran needs the group as its forward defense on the Israeli border, so Hezbollah needs Iran’s funding and military support to ensure its dominance in Lebanon.
—Joost Hiltermann, Foreign Affairs, 28 Mar. 2024
Yockey’s involvement is the most promising sign of forward momentum the project has had since.
—Adam B. Vary, Variety, 27 Mar. 2024
His organization wants federal wildlife officials to take even more aggressive steps to stop the forward march of the invasive owls.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
But beyond these programs, it is still expected that people become martyrs to bring forward information.
—Ariella Steinhorn, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2024
Michael Brice-Saddler, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024
According to unofficial minutes for the Marion City Council’s Aug. 7 meeting, the city council voted 4-1 to approve a request by Newell to move forward on a liquor license for Chef’s Plate.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
After taking on the responsibility needed for the Chrisley family to move forward, Savannah Chrisley is sharing how the weight of her duties have taken a toll.
—Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024
Amid an uncertain global regulatory landscape on AI, companies are moving forward with their plans to build and deploy AI, and CIOs have been combining their best practices around customer data with a bit of guesswork to make AI applications regulatory friendly, reports the Wall Street Journal.
—John Kell, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024
If Cohen’s plan does move forward, though, his prediction of a four-day workweek would mean people would have more time for gambling and baseball games, too.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2024
The car moved forward, and Mills started to fall to the ground, Tillman later recalled.
—Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2024
The agency scrapped its plan in 2021, saying the process and timeline set by the state's statutes did not allow adequate time for the rulemaking to move forward.
—Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2024
The decision was procedural, essentially allowing the case to move forward.
—Camille Baker, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
In addition to publishing findings and analysis, the groups also forwarded potentially harmful disinformation to platforms for review.
—Brandy Zadrozny, NBC News, 23 Mar. 2024
Elsewhere in the email change, the AI software—like some commentators on Twitter—guessed Musk had forwarded arguments that Google had a powerful advantage in AI from Hassabis.
—Will Knight, WIRED, 7 Mar. 2024
One of my updates was forwarded up the leadership chain, and the CIO invited me to speak at his staff meeting.
—Sherri Thomas, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
An email from Mowery to the state agency on Feb. 4, forwarded to IndyStar, shows Mowery objecting to the facts outlined in a draft report.
—Rory Appleton, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Mar. 2024
The prosecutor says six months before the murder, Monica forwarded an email sharing details of her home security system with Baker.
—Michelle Miller, CBS News, 9 Mar. 2024
Anyone with information is asked to forward it to Officer Benjamin Rodriguez at BRodriguez@RiversideCA.gov.
—Jenny Gold, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2024
Left back Alphonso Davies, midfielder Konrad Laimer and forwards Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman all remain injured, while goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and right back Noussair Mazraoui were rested Monday before returning to training Tuesday ahead of traveling to Italy.
—James Ellingworth, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2024
Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2024
One of those workers impressed by the pay raise was Cade Haskins, a junior majoring in politics, philosophy and economics who, in addition to his job at a campus snack bar, is a forward on the basketball team.
—Chris Isidore, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024
If the Sharks opted to go with a forward with that Penguins pick, centers Cayden Lindstrom, and Tij Iginla could both still be on the board.
Lindstrom, ranked the third-best North American skater by Central Scouting, is a manchild with Medicine Hat of the WHL at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds.
—Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024
While his output – even at AFC Ajax – has never been enormously fruitful, Antony’s current stats are diabolical for a wide forward.
—Liam Canning, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
While fans will want to see more assists and goals to his tally – five so far this season in 35 appearances – his output is generally enticing for the forwards to attack.
—Liam Canning, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Maybe paired with Redondo, Busquets could do his thing and let younger legs chase down speedy wingers and forwards.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2024
During one sequence against Portland, as the Hornets were running a play drawn up by Clifford during a timeout, Miller quietly pointed out to Grant Williams where to slide, ensuring the forward would be in the right position for the set to have a better chance at success.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2024
Chris Smith, a forward for the Iowa Wolves of the G League who spent his final two college seasons under Cronin, said part of the coach’s genius was connecting basketball to other things.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2024
Adjective
Up on the sky deck are multiple sun-lounging pads, a forward bar with 360-degree views of the ocean, and a long dining table for 10 made to resemble a vintage sailing yacht’s teak grating.
—Howard Walker, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2024
The Blue Devils took a lead into halftime, but NC State came alive in the second half, led by forward DJ Burns, who finished with 29 points and four rebounds.
—Jacob Lev, CNN, 1 Apr. 2024
Drill Dash is a forward dash that can knock enemies backward.
—Kris Holt, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
That’s all starting to change as more and more breweries jump on the NA bandwagon, but A.I. might be able to help supercharge that forward progress.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2024
Among the axis groups, Hezbollah is particularly close to Iran: just as Iran needs the group as its forward defense on the Israeli border, so Hezbollah needs Iran’s funding and military support to ensure its dominance in Lebanon.
—Joost Hiltermann, Foreign Affairs, 28 Mar. 2024
Yockey’s involvement is the most promising sign of forward momentum the project has had since.
—Adam B. Vary, Variety, 27 Mar. 2024
His organization wants federal wildlife officials to take even more aggressive steps to stop the forward march of the invasive owls.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
But beyond these programs, it is still expected that people become martyrs to bring forward information.
—Ariella Steinhorn, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2024
Adverb
The council’s chairman, Phil Mendelson (D), was bullish about finding a way to save the Pay Equity Fund and move the budget forward without having to fully replenish the city’s fiscal reserves.
—Michael Brice-Saddler, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024
According to unofficial minutes for the Marion City Council’s Aug. 7 meeting, the city council voted 4-1 to approve a request by Newell to move forward on a liquor license for Chef’s Plate.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
After taking on the responsibility needed for the Chrisley family to move forward, Savannah Chrisley is sharing how the weight of her duties have taken a toll.
—Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024
Amid an uncertain global regulatory landscape on AI, companies are moving forward with their plans to build and deploy AI, and CIOs have been combining their best practices around customer data with a bit of guesswork to make AI applications regulatory friendly, reports the Wall Street Journal.
—John Kell, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024
If Cohen’s plan does move forward, though, his prediction of a four-day workweek would mean people would have more time for gambling and baseball games, too.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2024
The car moved forward, and Mills started to fall to the ground, Tillman later recalled.
—Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2024
The agency scrapped its plan in 2021, saying the process and timeline set by the state's statutes did not allow adequate time for the rulemaking to move forward.
—Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2024
The decision was procedural, essentially allowing the case to move forward.
—Camille Baker, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Verb
Rhodes then forwarded the same letter to KBI Director Tony Mattivi on Monday afternoon.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
In addition to publishing findings and analysis, the groups also forwarded potentially harmful disinformation to platforms for review.
—Brandy Zadrozny, NBC News, 23 Mar. 2024
Elsewhere in the email change, the AI software—like some commentators on Twitter—guessed Musk had forwarded arguments that Google had a powerful advantage in AI from Hassabis.
—Will Knight, WIRED, 7 Mar. 2024
One of my updates was forwarded up the leadership chain, and the CIO invited me to speak at his staff meeting.
—Sherri Thomas, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
An email from Mowery to the state agency on Feb. 4, forwarded to IndyStar, shows Mowery objecting to the facts outlined in a draft report.
—Rory Appleton, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Mar. 2024
The prosecutor says six months before the murder, Monica forwarded an email sharing details of her home security system with Baker.
—Michelle Miller, CBS News, 9 Mar. 2024
Anyone with information is asked to forward it to Officer Benjamin Rodriguez at BRodriguez@RiversideCA.gov.
—Jenny Gold, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2024
Left back Alphonso Davies, midfielder Konrad Laimer and forwards Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman all remain injured, while goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and right back Noussair Mazraoui were rested Monday before returning to training Tuesday ahead of traveling to Italy.
—James Ellingworth, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2024
Noun
But that’s not what has impressed Quinn the most about the forward’s play of late.
—Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2024
One of those workers impressed by the pay raise was Cade Haskins, a junior majoring in politics, philosophy and economics who, in addition to his job at a campus snack bar, is a forward on the basketball team.
—Chris Isidore, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024
If the Sharks opted to go with a forward with that Penguins pick, centers Cayden Lindstrom, and Tij Iginla could both still be on the board.
Lindstrom, ranked the third-best North American skater by Central Scouting, is a manchild with Medicine Hat of the WHL at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds.
—Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024
While his output – even at AFC Ajax – has never been enormously fruitful, Antony’s current stats are diabolical for a wide forward.
—Liam Canning, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
While fans will want to see more assists and goals to his tally – five so far this season in 35 appearances – his output is generally enticing for the forwards to attack.
—Liam Canning, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Maybe paired with Redondo, Busquets could do his thing and let younger legs chase down speedy wingers and forwards.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2024
During one sequence against Portland, as the Hornets were running a play drawn up by Clifford during a timeout, Miller quietly pointed out to Grant Williams where to slide, ensuring the forward would be in the right position for the set to have a better chance at success.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2024
Chris Smith, a forward for the Iowa Wolves of the G League who spent his final two college seasons under Cronin, said part of the coach’s genius was connecting basketball to other things.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'forward.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective, Adverb, Verb, and Noun
Middle English, from Old English foreweard, from fore- + -weard -ward
First Known Use
Adjective
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adverb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Verb
1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
1879, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of forward was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing forward
Dictionary Entries Near forward
Cite this Entry
“Forward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forward. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
forward
1 of 4 adjective
for·ward
ˈfȯr-wərd 
1
: near, being at, or belonging to the front part
2
: lacking proper modesty or reserve
3
: moving, tending, or leading to a position in front
forwardly
adverb
forwardness
noun
forward
2 of 4 adverb
: to or toward what is in front
forward
3 of 4 verb1
: to help onward
forward a friend's career
2
: to send on or forward
forward a letter
forward
4 of 4 noun
: a player who plays at the front of the team near the opponent's goal
Legal Definition
forward
noun
for·ward
: forward contract at contract
More from Merriam-Webster on forward
Nglish: Translation of forward for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of forward for Arabic Speakers
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