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

The boos were deafening when the Miami Hurricanes ran onto the Enterprise Center floor for warmups before their NCAA Tournament opening game against Missouri late Friday night and reached a crescendo during player introductions. —Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026

Arched French doors—a recurrent design motif throughout the property—open onto twin Juliet balconies with panoramic lake views. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Mar. 2026

The brand, part of Amorepacific, focuses on simple, ceramide-rich formulas designed to help skin hold onto moisture and stay calm and comfortable. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 21 Mar. 2026

Leslie Mann delivers a heartwarming performance as a woman drifting through a midlife reset, latching onto two college students locked in a subtle competition for her attention. —Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 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