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
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.
The Biden administration dismissed the lawsuit, and prosecutors dropped a grand jury investigation the following year. NPR, 17 Oct. 2025 Santos pleaded guilty the following year just as he was set to stand trial. Philip Marcelo, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025 The couple married the following year and have since welcomed two children together. Amy McCarthy, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025 In the midst of the Colin Kaepernick kerfuffle in 2016 and into the following season, NFL ratings fell 8% and 10%, respectively. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for the following

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“The following.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20following. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!