onto

1 of 2

preposition

on·​to ˈȯn-(ˌ)tü 

ˈän-

1

: to a position on

We climbed onto the roof.

Turn left onto Fifth Avenue.

2

: in or into a state of awareness about

put me onto your methods

was onto something that should have been pursued further

—Bosley Crowther

3

—used as a function word to indicate a set each element of which is the image of at least one element of another set

a function mapping the set S onto the set T

onto

2 of 2

adjective

: mapping elements in such a way that every element in one set is the image of at least one element in another set

a function that is one-to-one and onto

Examples of onto in a Sentence

Preposition

We climbed onto the building's roof.

The book fell onto the floor.

The water spilled onto the floor.

The cowboy leaped onto his horse.

Transfer the data onto a disk.

Turn left onto Third Street at the traffic light.

Recent Examples on the Web

Preposition

What to do nearby Step directly onto Ocean Drive to explore the surrounding Art Deco Historic District, or stroll across the street into Lummus Park for a seaside walk. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026

Madonna then descended the stairs and removed her coat to reveal a red-and-black corset as dancers lifted her onto a table that rolled around a choir in the audience wearing white veils. — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026

As is usually the case with ocean splashdowns, the rocket tipped over, fell onto its side and exploded as residual propellants ignited. — William Harwood, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

Comme des Garçons kicked things off by releasing two versions of the sneaker with premium leather, patent leather extending from the mudguard to the midsole and its branding stamped onto the shoe’s lateral side. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Preposition

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1942, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing onto

• build onto
• fasten onto
• get on/onto the subject of
• get onto
• give onto
• latch onto
• lock onto
• map onto
• onto something
• project onto
• stumble across/on/onto/upon
• voted on/onto

Kids Definition

onto

preposition

on·​to

ˌȯn-tə, 

ˌän-;

ˈȯn-tü, 

ˈän-

1

: to a position on or against

leaped onto the horse

climbed onto the roof

2

: in a state of knowing about or becoming aware of

I'm onto their little game