earthward

[urth-werd]

adverb

1. Also earthwards. toward the earth.

adjective

1. directed toward the earth.

earthward

/ ˈɜːθwəd /

adjective

1. directed towards the earth

adverb

1. a variant of earthwards

Word History and Origins

Origin of earthward¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, earthward is from the Middle English word ertheward. See earth, -ward

Example Sentences

She had the satisfaction of watching it dive earthward in black smoke before she realized that she, too, had been hit by gunfire.

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She could also see one of the Po-2s on fire, spinning earthward through the air as its flares exploded.

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But for some reason, Olga’s aircraft suddenly went plummeting earthward.

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As the birds plunged earthward to gulp water and feast on fatty globs bobbing in treatment ponds, a shadowy figure emerged from the corner of a building holding what looked to be a submachine gun.

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“I poured in the rest of my ammo and he went into a spiraling dive, disappearing into a cloud at about 3,000 feet, still heading earthward.”

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Related Words

• downward