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

Traffic will be directed to take CR 920 and turn onto southbound FM 1902/Granbury Road. —Hedija Spahalic, Dallas Morning News, 14 Mar. 2026

Walz unveiled the costly proposal, which would drastically shift oversight duties from counties across the state onto the Minnesota Department of Human Services, during a Tuesday press conference. —Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 14 Mar. 2026

In his company email today, Carr echoed comments the new Paramount leadership has made after the merger about their plan to hold onto BET due to the strength of the brand. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026

Meanwhile, O’Rourke kept a brave smile on her face, eager to step onto set and lose herself in make-believe before the cameras. —Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 13 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