following

[fol-oh-ing]

noun

1. a body of followers, attendants, adherents, etc.

2. the body of admirers, attendants, patrons, etc., of someone or something.

   That television show has a large following.

3. the following, that which comes immediately after, as pages, lines, etc..

   See the following for a list of exceptions.

adjective

1. that follows or moves in the same direction.

   a following wind.

2. that comes after or next in order or time; ensuing.

   the following day.

3. that is now to follow; now to be mentioned, described, related, or the like.

   Check the following report for details.

following

/ ˈfɒləʊɪŋ /

adjective

1. 1. (prenominal) about to be mentioned, specified, etc

      the following items

   2. ( as noun )

      will the following please raise their hands?

2. (of winds, currents, etc) moving in the same direction as the course of a vessel

noun

1. a group of supporters or enthusiasts

   he attracted a large following wherever he played

preposition

1. as a result of

   he was arrested following a tip-off

Usage

The use of following to mean as a result of is very common in journalism, but should be avoided in other kinds of writing

Other Word Forms

• nonfollowing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of following¹

First recorded in 1250–1300, following is from the Middle English word folwing. See follow, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

The boy and an adult appear to be following security out of the stands, presumably to somewhere the Mariners might be able to make an offer to secure the ball for Raleigh.

From Los Angeles Times

“South Park” returned Wednesday with “Conflict of Interest,” the fifth episode of Season 27, following a one-week delay.

From Salon

Most of the following 12 months was spent debating whether he would select himself as the first player-captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963.

From BBC

Videos from Sanaa showed large plumes of black smoke rising from at least three locations in the city following the Israeli strikes on Thursday afternoon.

From BBC

That was in January 2021, in the days following the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• coming 
• consecutive 
• ensuing 
• subsequent 
• succeeding 
• successive