toward

preposition

to·ward | \ˈtō-ərd,

ˈtȯ(-ə)rd

variants: or towards \ ˈtō-ərd(z) ,

ˈtȯ(-ə)rd(z), tə-ˈwȯrd(z), ˈtwȯrd(z) \

Definition of toward

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : in the direction of driving toward town

2a : along a course leading to a long stride toward disarmament

b : in relation to an attitude toward life

3a : at a point in the direction of : near a cottage somewhere up toward the lake

b : in such a position as to be in the direction of your back was toward me

4 : not long before toward the end of the afternoon

5a : in the way of help or assistance in did all he could toward raising campaign funds

b : for the partial payment of proceeds go toward the establishment of a scholarship

toward

adjective

to·ward | \ˈtō-ərd,

ˈtȯ(-ə)rd

Definition of toward (Entry 2 of 2)

1 or less commonly towards \ ˈtō-ərdz , ˈtȯ(-ə)rdz \ [ Middle English towardes, from Old English tōweardes, preposition, toward, from tōweard, adjective ]

a : coming soon : imminent

b : happening at the moment : afoot

2a obsolete : quick to learn : apt

b : propitious, favoring a toward breeze

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about toward

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Examples of toward in a Sentence

Preposition

The bus is heading toward town. She took a step toward the door. They live out towards the edge of town. We're thinking of taking a vacation towards the end of the month. Efforts toward peace have been largely unsuccessful.

Recent Examples on the Web: Preposition

The move toward legalization would put New York among the growing number of states to legalize the drug, including California, Colorado and Washington. — New York Times, "Cuomo Moves Closer to Marijuana Legalization in New York," 13 July 2018 Will Flannigan, The Republic | azcentral.com The National Weather Service was tracking another dust storm moving north through Pinal County toward Phoenix late Tuesday afternoon. — Nathan J. Fish, azcentral, "Dust storm moving through Pinal County toward Phoenix area," 10 July 2018 Just as Matthew was expected to move west toward Palm Beach County, the center of the storm broadened, helping save the tricounty area from a direct hit. — Marcia Heroux Pounds, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Will FPL customers get Hurricane Matthew refund? Commission to vote Tuesday," 9 July 2018 Beryl is moving toward the west-northwest near 23 mph, and tropical-storm-force winds extend out 45 miles from the storm’s center. — Roger Simmons, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Tropical Storm Beryl picks up speed, expected to bring wind and rain to Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands," 8 July 2018 The Orioles continue to move quickly toward trading shortstop Manny Machado in advance of this month’s non-waiver trade deadline and are in the process of fielding offers from seven different teams, according to an industry source. — Eduardo A. Encina, baltimoresun.com, "Orioles continue to move quickly to trade Manny Machado," 7 July 2018 Farchione says treatment for the condition is increasingly moving toward helping patients reframe their fear response, and adds that virtual reality flight simulators may help as well. — Jamie Ducharme, Time, "Why Some People Have a Crippling Fear of Flying — and How They Can Overcome It," 6 July 2018 The video opens with Jenner walking toward a small brown home with a little white fence in front. — Olivia Harrison, refinery29.com, "We Would Like To Live In The House That Kylie Jenner Is Building For Her Dogs, Please," 5 July 2018 That's why the country is taking steps to make life better for LGBT people, including moving toward a ban on conversion therapy. — Elly Belle, Teen Vogue, "The U.K.'s LGBT Action Plan Includes Banning Conversion Therapy," 3 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'toward.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.