the following
noun
: the following one or ones
—used to introduce a list, a quotation, etc.
The finalists are the following: Mary, James, and George.
The following are the times of departing trains: 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and 8 p.m.
Examples of the following in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
She was abruptly fired the following week.
—
Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 31 Jan. 2026
After changing names and majority owners a few times over the years, the property closed in 2000 and reopened the following year under new management as Sanctuary, with 82 new casitas as well as its current restaurant, bar, and pool.
—Lizbeth Scordo, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2026
Benefits such as Social Security and Medicare were uninterrupted, many people did not notice the shutdown and federal offices reopened the following Monday after a deal was in place.
—Meg Kinnard, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
Curry sat out the following night to rest the knee during a loss to the Timberwolves, but played again in a win on Wednesday night over the Utah Jazz.
—Nick Friedell, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the following
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.
Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 31 Jan. 2026
After changing names and majority owners a few times over the years, the property closed in 2000 and reopened the following year under new management as Sanctuary, with 82 new casitas as well as its current restaurant, bar, and pool.
—Lizbeth Scordo, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2026
Benefits such as Social Security and Medicare were uninterrupted, many people did not notice the shutdown and federal offices reopened the following Monday after a deal was in place.
—Meg Kinnard, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
Curry sat out the following night to rest the knee during a loss to the Timberwolves, but played again in a win on Wednesday night over the Utah Jazz.
—Nick Friedell, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the following
Cite this Entry
“The following.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20following. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
