toward

1 of 2

preposition

to·​ward ˈtō-ərd  ˈtȯ(-ə)rd 

variants or towards

ˈtō-ərd(z) 

ˈtȯ(-ə)rd(z),

tə-ˈwȯrd(z),

ˈtwȯrd(z)

1

: in the direction of

driving toward town

2

a

: along a course leading to

a long stride toward disarmament

b

: in relation to

an attitude toward life

3

a

: 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

5

a

: 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

2 of 2

adjective

to·​ward ˈtō-ərd  ˈtȯ(-ə)rd 

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

2

a

obsolete : quick to learn : apt

b

: propitious, favoring

a toward breeze

Synonyms

Preposition

• about
• apropos
• apropos of
• as far as
• as for
• as regards
• as respects
• as to
• concerning
• of
• on
• regarding
• respecting
• touching

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

Fed Chair Jerome Powell has said that policymakers want to see more evidence that inflation is headed toward their 2% goal. —Krystal Hur, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024

Marshall began to head toward the exit with the officers trailing him. —Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 11 Apr. 2024

The 2014 segment builds toward a suspenseful home invasion climax, albeit one in which both main characters seem untethered to reality. —Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024

But, in the unironic sense, Laufey does take a big step toward possibly becoming a screen goddess, of sorts, by having starred in a short film that may serve as a calling card for a possible move into film or TV roles. —Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Apr. 2024

Public sentiment toward the president and the ruling party has especially soured in the months leading up to the elections amid soaring food prices and a prolonged medical crisis. —Se Eun Gong, NPR, 11 Apr. 2024

The pair of 19-story towers sits three miles north of the Santa Monica Pier, offering stellar views of the beaches that stretch along Pacific Coast Highway toward Malibu. —James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024

There is an understandable temptation, at the first hint of spring, to rush toward the season’s offerings. —Yotam Ottolenghi, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024

As the pandemic receded, however, Aguilar turned her focus toward political office. —USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2024

Adjective

As the pressure has mounted, Paul and Ally have moved toward and away from each other. —Peter Libbey, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English toward, from Old English tōweard facing, imminent, from tō, preposition, to + -weard -ward

First Known Use

Preposition

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing toward

• count toward/towards
• go a long way toward/towards
• go toward(s)
• have an eye to/toward
• point toward
• with an eye toward

Kids Definition

toward

preposition

to·​ward

variants or towards

(ˈ)tō(-ə)rd(z),

(ˈ)tȯ(-ə)rd(z),

tə-ˈwȯrd(z),

(ˈ)twȯrd(z),

(ˈ)twōrd(z)

1

: in the direction of

heading toward town

2

a

: along a course leading to

efforts toward peace

b

: in regard to

attitude toward life

3

: so as to face

turn the chair toward the window

4

: not long before : near

toward noon

5

: as part of the payment for

$100 toward a new sofa