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
The pair tied the knot in Italy the following year in September 2014.
—
Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
Early the following morning, Anaheim police officers responded to the intersection of Santa Ana and Helena streets after witnesses reported seeing two men chasing Reyes and one of them stabbing him.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Baltimore Ravens players passed one around on the sideline during their 41-24 win over the Packers the following week.
—Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Some set buds for the following year.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 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.
Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
Early the following morning, Anaheim police officers responded to the intersection of Santa Ana and Helena streets after witnesses reported seeing two men chasing Reyes and one of them stabbing him.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Baltimore Ravens players passed one around on the sideline during their 41-24 win over the Packers the following week.
—Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Some set buds for the following year.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 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 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share