rearward

American  

[reer-werd, reer-wawrd] / ˈrɪər wərd, ˈrɪər wɔrd /

adverb

1. Also rearwards. toward or in the rear.

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adjective

1. located in, near, or toward the rear.

2. directed toward the rear.

noun

1. a position at the rear.

   in the rearward of fashion.

2. null rereward the rear division of a military unit; rear guard.

rearward British  

/ ˈrɪəwəd /

adjective

1. Also (for adverb only): rearwards.  towards or in the rear

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noun

1. a position in the rear, esp the rear division of a military formation

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• rearwardness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of rearward

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English rerewarde, from Anglo-French. See rear ¹, -ward

Related Words

• rearwards